Equivariant degree theory / Jorge Ize, Alfonso Vignoli.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ize, Jorge, 1946-

Contributor:

Vignoli, Alfonso, 1940-

Alumni and Friends Memorial Book Fund.

Series:

De Gruyter series in nonlinear analysis and applications 0941-813X ; 8.

De Gruyter series in nonlinear analysis and applications, 0941-813X ; 8

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Topological degree.

Homotopy groups.

Physical Description:

xix, 361 pages ; 25 cm.

Place of Publication:

Berlin ; New York : Walter de Gruyter, 2003.

Summary:

This book presents a new degree theory for maps which commute with a group of symmetries. This degree is no longer a single integer but an element of the group of equivariant homotopy classes of maps between two spheres and depends on the orbit types of the spaces. The authors develop completely the theory and applications of this degree in a self-contained presentation starting with only elementary facts. The first chapter explains the basic tools of representation theory, homotopy theory and differential equations needed in the text. Then the degree is defined and its main abstract properties are derived. The next part is devoted to the study of equivariant homotopy groups of spheres and to the classification of equivariant maps in the case of abelian actions. These groups are explicitely computed and the effects of symmetry breaking, products and composition are thorougly studied. The last part deals with computations of the equivariant index of an isolated orbit and of an isolated loop of stationary points. Here differential equations in a variety of situations are considered: symmetry breaking, forcing, period doubling, twisted orbits, first integrals, gradients etc. Periodic solutions of Hamiltonian systems, in particular spring-pendulum systems, are studied as well as Hopf bifurcation for all these situations.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [337]-358) and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Alumni and Friends Memorial Book Fund.

ISBN:

3110175509

OCLC:

51818522