Structural stability and genericity for ordinary differential equations (Q1065993)

Structural stability is firstly introduced in the unit 2-dimensional disk, \(D^ 2\), via (i) the \(\epsilon\)-homeomorphism definition and (ii) the (contemporary) homeomorphism definition, and the equivalence of the two is established. Moreover, Peixoto's theorem is proved. Next, structural stability is defined in \(D^ n\), and the main theorem concerning n-dimensional structurally stable systems is proved, followed by a counterexample of the non-validity of Peixoto's theorem for \(n=4.\) An attempt to answer both parts of the fundamental problem of generic theory follows. The approximation problem (first ''component'' of the fundamental problem) is positively solved by the Kupka-Smale theorem, which is proved, and a local solution to the second ''component'' (the classification problem), stating that there are generically only \(n+I\) possible types of local behaviour for the trajectories of a d.e. in \(D^ n\), is described. Finally, different further developments are presented in brief: the general density theorem, the closing lemma, Smale's axiom A, and the substitutes for axiom B, i.e. the no cycle property, and the strong transversality condition, together with some comments on first integrals.