Morse theory for analytic functions on surfaces (Q2490676)

The authors consider an analytic function \(f:S\to\mathbb{R}\) where \(S\) is a compact two-dimensional manifold and the critical points of \(f\) may be semi degenerate (meaning that the Hessian does not vanish identically). One then speaks of a semi-degenerate function. The level set \(f^{-1}(f(p))\), near a critical point, is shown to belong, locally, to one of four types. This is done by using an isothermal parametrization which allows to work in a simple situation in a neighborhood of the origin in the plane. The critical set of \(f\) splits into finitely many critical points plus finitely many critical circles. A definition of index of a critical point is introduced in such a way that it agrees with the index of the gradient vector field of \(f\) at an isolated critical point. Finally, using the Gauss-Bonnet formula, a Morse-type equality is established showing that the sum of the indices of critical points coincides with the Euler characteristic of \(S\).