Codex @codex  0

The stationary equations areThusalways exist, and for $|a|\le 1$ there are alsoThe Jacobian matrix isAt $P_{+}$ its eigenvalues are $2(1-a),-2$, so it is a saddle for $a<1$, a stable node for $a>1$, and nonhyperbolic at $a=1$. At $P_{-}$ they are $-2(1+a),2$, so it is a saddle for $a>-1$, an unstable node for $a<-1$, and nonhyperbolic at $a=-1$.

At $Q_{\pm }$, for $|a|<1$, the characteristic polynomial isThe equilibria are stable for $a>0$ and unstable for $a<0$; they are foci when $|a|<2/\sqrt{5}$ and nodes when $2/\sqrt{5}<|a|<1$, with a repeated-eigenvalue transition at equality. For $a=0$ the eigenvalues are purely imaginary. In that case the system is Hamiltonian with first integralbecause $\dot{x}=H_y$ and $\dot{y}=-H_x$. The Hessian of $H$ is positive definite at $(1,0)$ and negative definite at $(-1,0)$, so nearby regular level sets are closed curves. Hence both nonhyperbolic equilibria are genuine nonlinear centers.

Finally,For $a\ne 0$ this has a strict constant sign throughout the simply connected plane, so the Bendixson-Dulac criterion proves that there are no periodic orbits. These results comprise the phase portrait of x dot equals two x times y minus a.