Comparative index and Sturmian theory for linear Hamiltonian systems (Q340348)

This paper studies the oscillation properties of solutions of the Hamiltonian system \[ x'=A(t)x+B(t)u, \;u'=C(t)x-A^T(t)u, \quad t\in[a,b] \] without the complete controllability assumption. Using the comparative index, which was introduced by Elyseeva and originally applied to discrete oscillation theory, the authors derive new explicit formulas for the difference of the left [resp. right] proper focal points of two conjoined bases in \((a,b]\) [resp. \([a,b)\)], as well as optimal bounds for the numbers of left and right proper focal points of one conjoined basis. New Sturmian separation theorems are hence obtained. These results extend and improve existing ones in the literature, and are new even for completely controllable systems. Nice examples are given to illustrate the hew theory.