Conley index for discrete multi-valued dynamical systems (Q1900744)

The Conley index theory for discrete multi-valued dynamical systems is constructed. The authors generalize for such systems the definitions of isolating neighbourhood, isolating block, index pair and the Conley index. Then they prove homotopy (continuation) properties of the index and also state the additivity property which can be proved by the same arguments as in the single-valued case. The theory, when applied to single-valued continuous maps reduces to the Conley index theory for maps as developed in [the second author, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 318, 149-178 (1990; Zbl 0686.58034)]. The ideas of this paper were recently used in the computer assited proof of chaos in the Lorenz equations [see \textit{K. Mischaikow} and the second author, Bull. Am. Math. Soc., New Ser. 32, 66-72 (1995; Zbl 0820.58042)].