Lagrange-Schwarzian derivative and symplectic Sturm theory (Q1261235)

The scalar Schwarzian derivative \(S\{f\}=f'''/f'-(3/2)(f''/f')^ 2\) of \(C^ 3\)-function \(f\), \(f'\neq 0\) is very important for example in the theory of linear differential equations [see e.g., \textit{F. Neuman}, Global properties of linear ordinary differential equations, Kluwer Academic Publishers (1991)]. The main property of this derivative is its projective invariance, that is, \(S\{f\}=S\{g\}\) if and only if \(g=(af+b)/(cf+d)\), where \(a\), \(b\), \(c\), \(d\) are constants. This interesting paper is connected with a recent author's paper [Mosc. Univ. Mech. Bull. 44, No. 6, 8-13 (1989); translation from Vestn. Mosk. Univ., Ser. I 1989, No. 6, 42-45 (1989; Zbl 0707.70005)] and gives more details and discusses relations of multidimensional Schwarzian derivative with loop groups. The author presents two constructions in the linear symplectic space which can be considered as analogues of the classical cross-ratio and Schwarzian derivative. The symplectic cross-ratio is the unique invariant of four Lagrangian subspaces in the linear symplectic space. The (multidimensional) Lagrange-Schwarzian derivative is defined by \(\text{LS} \{{\mathcal F}\}= (F'{}^{-1})^{1\over 2} (F'''-(3/2) F'' F'{}^{-1} F'')((F'{}^{-1})^*)^{1\over 2}\) for any 1-parameter smooth family of symmetric matrices \(F(t)\) such that \(F'(t)\) is positive definite for every \(t\). The derivative recovers the system of linear Newton equations \(y''=a(t)y\), \(y\in\mathbb{R}^ n\), \(A^*=A\) from the evolution of a Lagrangian subspace in a linear symplectic space. It is also proved a theorem which gives a nonoscillation condition for the system of Newton equations.