Liapunov-Razumikhin functions and an invariance principle for functional differential equations (Q788184)

The authors consider an autonomous system of functional differential equations (P) \(x'=f(x_ t)\) where \(f:C\to R^ n\) is continuous and maps bounded closed sets into bounded sets. They assume that solutions depend continuously on the initial data \(x_ 0=\emptyset\). From these assumptions on f follows the existence of a unique solution of the initial value problem for (P). The aim of the paper is to present a general theory for Lyapunov-Razumikhin functions and their application to certain properties of \(\omega\)-limit sets of solutions of such initial value problems for (P). For such equations an invariance principle is available which includes Lyapunov functionals [\textit{J. K. Hale}, J. Differ. Equations 1, 452-482 (1965; Zbl 0135.303)]. However, it is often difficult if not impossible to construct an appropriate Lyapunov functional. The main result of this paper is a new invariance principle which is based on Lyapunov-Razumikhin functions. These ones are in general easier to construct and to examine, however, they do not enjoy the property of being non-increasing along solutions. From the invariance principle a series of corollaries is derived which present conditions under which the solution \(x=0\) of (P) is asymptotically stable. Another section of the paper is devoted to the investigation of the asymptotic constancy of Lyapunov-Razumikhin functions along solutions where equations for which each constant function is itself a solution are of particular interest. Throughout the development of this general theory the results are motivated by or applied to a variety of instructive examples.