 Square-pattern interaction with a sign-changing scalar mode

A scalar mode that changes sign under a quarter-turn and is fixed by diagonal reflections couples quadratically through $AC,BC,A^2-B^2$. In the saturated three-mode equivariant dynamical system, a diagonal state $A=B=s$, $C=0$ has $s^2={\mu }_1/(1+\lambda )$ and $p=2(\lambda -1)s^2$. The symmetric perturbation decays at rate $2{\mu }_1$; the remaining stability matrix is the displayed block. With $K=2{\alpha }_1{\gamma }_1/(\lambda -1)>0$, its linear stability interval is $-K<{\mu }_2<-p$, provided $p<K$. The endpoints are a symmetry-breaking pitchfork bifurcation and a Hopf bifurcation, respectively, away from degeneracies.