Stability And Bifurcation Theory For Non Autonomous Differential Equations

Stability and Bifurcation Theory for Non-Autonomous Differential Equations

Stability and Bifurcation Theory for Non-Autonomous Differential Equations

This volume contains the notes from five lecture courses devoted to nonautonomous differential systems, in which appropriate topological and dynamical techniques were described and applied to a variety of problems. The courses took place during the C.I.M.E. Session "Stability and Bifurcation Problems for Non-Autonomous Differential Equations," held in Cetraro, Italy, June 19-25 2011. Anna Capietto and Jean Mawhin lectured on nonlinear boundary value problems; they applied the Maslov index and degree-theoretic methods in this context. Rafael Ortega discussed the theory of twist maps with nonperiodic phase and presented applications. Peter Kloeden and Sylvia Novo showed how dynamical methods can be used to study the stability/bifurcation properties of bounded solutions and of attracting sets for nonautonomous differential and functional-differential equations. The volume will be of interest to all researchers working in these and related fields.

Nonautonomous Bifurcation Theory

Bifurcation theory is a major topic in dynamical systems theory with profound applications. However, in contrast to autonomous dynamical systems, it is not clear what a bifurcation of a nonautonomous dynamical system actually is, and so far, various different approaches to describe qualitative changes have been suggested in the literature. The aim of this book is to provide a concise survey of the area and equip the reader with suitable tools to tackle nonautonomous problems. A review, discussion and comparison of several concepts of bifurcation is provided, and these are formulated in a unified notation and illustrated by means of comprehensible examples. Additionally, certain relevant tools needed in a corresponding analysis are presented.