We prove an analytical limitation on the use of time-delayed feedback control for the stabilization of periodic orbits in autonomous systems. This limitation depends on the number of real Floquet multipliers larger than unity, and is therefore similar to the well-known odd number limitation of time-delayed feedback control. Recently, a two-dimensional example has been found, which explicitly demonstrates that the unmodified odd number limitation does not apply in the case of autonomous systems. We show that our limitation correctly predicts the stability boundaries in this case.

• Received 25 August 2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.154101