A proof of the Smale conjecture, \(Diff(S^ 3)\simeq O(4)\) (Q788340)

In this long article the author proves the long standing conjecture of Smale. One version of this can be stated as follows: Theorem: A smooth family of \(C^{\infty}\) embeddings \(g_ t:S^ 2\to R^ 3\), \(t\in S^ k\) extends to \(\bar g_ t:B^ 3\to R^ 3\) a smooth family of \(C^{\infty}\) embeddings of the 3-ball, for any \(k\geq 0\). The case \(k=0\) is the Schoenflies Theorem in three dimensions and was proved by Alexander in 1924. The case \(k=1\) is due to Cerf (whilst proving \(\Gamma_ 4=0)\). The general idea of proof, which is far too complicated to describe in detail, is to consider those points of an embedded sphere which are joined by vertical lines inside a bounding ball. This is a sort of ''beefed up'' vertical projection onto a horizontal plane. Equivalence classes of such points are called contours. The classes of contours as the sphere varies over the family are analysed by a surgery process. In the appendix is an interesting list of equivalent formulations of the Smale conjecture.