We propose a unified approach to nonlinear modal analysis in dissipative
oscillatory systems. This approach eliminates conflicting definitions, covers
both autonomous and time-dependent systems, and provides exact mathematical
existence, uniqueness and robustness results. In this setting, a nonlinear
normal mode (NNM) is a set filled with small-amplitude recurrent motions: a
fixed point, a periodic orbit or the closure of a quasiperiodic orbit. In
contrast, a spectral submanifold (SSM) is an invariant manifold asymptotic to a
NNM, serving as the smoothest nonlinear continuation of a spectral subspace of
the linearized system along the NNM. The existence and uniqueness of SSMs turns
out to depend on a spectral quotient computed from the real part of the
spectrum of the linearized system. This quotient may well be large even for
small dissipation, thus the inclusion of damping is essential for firm
conclusions about NNMs, SSMs and the reduced-order models they yield.

本文提出了一个统一的方法，用于消除冲突定义，处理自主和时间相关系统，并提供了精确的数学存在性、唯一性和鲁棒性结果的非线性模态分析。