Jerusalem Mathematics Colloquium




Thursday, 25 June 1998, 4:00 pm
Mathematics Bldg., lecture hall 2




Dr. Maxim Braverman (The Hebrew University of Jerusalem)




"Morse theory for multi-valued functions"


Abstract:

Any smooth function on a compact manifold has at least 2 critical points: maximum and minimum. The celebrated Morse inequalities imply that on most manifolds each smooth function has many more critical points. For example, any function on the two-dimensional torus has at least 4 critical points (provided those points are non-degenerate).

In 1981, S. Novikov extended the Morse inequalities to multi-valued functions. In my talk, I'll review the Morse and Novikov theories and present a generalization of the Novikov inequalities to multi-valued functions with non-isolated critical points due to M. Farber and myself. If the time permits, I'll also discuss some applications.



Coffee, Cookies at the faculty lounge at 3:30.



List of talks, 1997-98