Branching and bifurcation (Q2321750)

\(C^k\)- Fredholm mappings of index 0 \(f:U\to Y\) are considered, where \(X,Y\) are Banach spaces, and \(U\) is an open subset of \(X\). A point \(x\in U\) is a branch point for \(f\) if there is no neighborhood of \(x\) on which \(f\) is one-to-one (i. e. \(f\) fails to be a local homeomorphism at \(x\)). The set of branch points \(\mathcal B(f)\) is contained in the set of crital points of \(f\)( not equal in general). By using the relation between the branch points and bifurcation from a trivial branch of solutions of a parametrized family of equations several results on the structure of \(\mathcal B(f)\) are proved. Among others, under some local assumptions, the set \(\mathcal B(f)\) is sufficiently large to separate the domain of \(f\). In the gradient case estimates from below are provided for the number of components of \(U\setminus \mathcal B(f)\). Topological invariants like spectral flow, the parity and topological degree for proper Fredholm mappings developed earlier by the authors are of use. Some examples of applications are discussed. The article is written in a very clear and friendly fashion.