Eigenvalue and oscillation theorems for time scale symplectic systems (Q2429744)

This is a very comprehensive paper dealing with oscillation and spectral theory of symplectic dynamic systems on a time scale \[ x^{\Delta}=A(t)x+B(t)u,\quad u^{\Delta}=C(t)x+D(t)u, \tag{*} \] where the matrices \(A,B,C,D\) satisfy identities implying that the fundamental matrix of (*) is symplectic. The main result of the paper is the so-called oscillation theorem which relates the number of finite eigenvalues of a certain eigenvalue problem associated with (*) and the number of generalized focal points of a conjoined basis of this eigenvalue problem. To prove this result, the authors develop systematically the general theory of symplectic eigenvalue problems without any controllability assumption. The results of the paper cover as a particular case oscillation theorems for Hamiltonian differential systems (continuous case) and symplectic difference systems (discrete case).