Isotopy of Morin singularities (Q2822573)

Let \(C^\infty(m,n)\) be the set of smooth map-germs \(f: (\mathbb R^m,0) \rightarrow (\mathbb R^n,0)\) and \(\mathcal A\) the group of changes of coordinates in the source and target, which acts on \(C^\infty(m,n)\) by the usual way. The two map-germs \(f\) and \(g\) are \(\mathcal A\)-isotopic if and only if \(j^rf(0)\) and \(j^rg(0)\) are located on the same arc-wise connected component of the \(r\)-jet of the \(\mathcal A\)-orbit of \(j^rf(0)\). By definition, \(f\in C^\infty(n,n)\) is an equidimensional \(k\)-Morin singularity if it is \(\mathcal A\)-equivalent to the germ \((x_1,\dots, x_n) \mapsto (x_1x_2+x_1^2x_3+\dots +x_1^{k-1}x_k+x_1^{k+1}, x_2,\dots, x_n)\), cf. [\textit{B. Morin}, C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris 260, 5662--5665, 6503--6506 (1965; Zbl 0178.26801)]. In the paper under review, the author studies \(\mathcal A\)-isotopy classes of such singularities, computes the number of classes, their basic invariants, normal forms, and discusses some useful applications.