Differential topology of the spaces of asymptotically stable vector fields and Lyapunov functions

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Author: Kvalheim, Matthew D.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Kvalheim, Matthew D.
author_facet Kvalheim, Matthew D.
contents We study the topology of the space of all smooth asymptotically stable vector fields on $\mathbb{R}^n$, as well as the space of all proper smooth Lyapunov functions for such vector fields. We prove that both spaces are path-connected and simply connected when $n\neq 4,5$ and weakly contractible when $n\leq 3$. Moreover, both spaces have the weak homotopy type of the nonlinear Grassmannian of submanifolds of $\mathbb{R}^n$ diffeomorphic to the $n$-disc. The proofs rely on Lyapunov theory and differential topology, such as the work of Smale and Perelman on the generalized Poincaré conjecture and results of Smale, Cerf, and Hatcher on the topology of diffeomorphism groups of discs. Applications include a partial answer to a question of Conley, a parametric Hartman-Grobman theorem for nonyperbolic but asymptotically stable equilibria, and a parametric Morse lemma for degenerate minima. We also study the related topics of hyperbolic equilibria, Morse minima, and relative homotopy groups of the space of asymptotically stable vector fields inside the space of those vanishing at a single point.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2503_10828
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Differential topology of the spaces of asymptotically stable vector fields and Lyapunov functions
Kvalheim, Matthew D.
Dynamical Systems
Algebraic Topology
Geometric Topology
Optimization and Control
37C75, 34D23, 34D20, 57R19, 57R60, 57S05
We study the topology of the space of all smooth asymptotically stable vector fields on $\mathbb{R}^n$, as well as the space of all proper smooth Lyapunov functions for such vector fields. We prove that both spaces are path-connected and simply connected when $n\neq 4,5$ and weakly contractible when $n\leq 3$. Moreover, both spaces have the weak homotopy type of the nonlinear Grassmannian of submanifolds of $\mathbb{R}^n$ diffeomorphic to the $n$-disc. The proofs rely on Lyapunov theory and differential topology, such as the work of Smale and Perelman on the generalized Poincaré conjecture and results of Smale, Cerf, and Hatcher on the topology of diffeomorphism groups of discs. Applications include a partial answer to a question of Conley, a parametric Hartman-Grobman theorem for nonyperbolic but asymptotically stable equilibria, and a parametric Morse lemma for degenerate minima. We also study the related topics of hyperbolic equilibria, Morse minima, and relative homotopy groups of the space of asymptotically stable vector fields inside the space of those vanishing at a single point.
title Differential topology of the spaces of asymptotically stable vector fields and Lyapunov functions
topic Dynamical Systems
Algebraic Topology
Geometric Topology
Optimization and Control
37C75, 34D23, 34D20, 57R19, 57R60, 57S05
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.10828