Relative index theories and applications (Q2403356)

The author develops some relative index theories for abstract operator equations in terms of self-adjoint operators on a (separable) Hilbert space in Galerkin approximation scheme and saddle point reduction scheme, respectively. It is shown that the two relative indices are equal. Moreover, a Galerkin approximation formula and a saddle point reduction formula are given for the \(P\)-index, \(P\) being an element of the symplectic group. Based on the \(P\)-index theory, the minimal periodic problem for \(P\)-symmetric solutions of an autonomous Hamiltonian system is dealt with.