Dynamical bifurcation theory is concerned with the changes that occur in the global structure of dynamical systems as parameters are varied. This book makes recent research in bifurcation theory of dynamical systems accessible to researchers interested in this subject. In particular, the relevant results obtained by Chinese mathematicians are introduced as well as some of the works of the authors which may not be widely known. The focus is on the analytic approach to the theory and methods of bifurcations. The book prepares graduate students for further study in this area, and it serves as a ready reference for researchers in nonlinear sciences and applied mathematics.

This graduate level text explains the fundamentals of the theory of dynamical systems. After reading it you will have a good enough understanding of the area to study the extensive literature on dynamical systems. The book is self contained, as all the essential definitions and proofs are supplied, as are useful references: all the reader needs is a knowledge of basic mathematical analysis, algebra and topology. However, the first chapter contains an explanation of some of the methods of differential topology an understanding of which is essential to the theory of dynamical systems. A clear introduction to the field, which is equally useful for postgraduates in the natural sciences, engineering and economics.

This invaluable book presents a comprehensive introduction to bifurcation theory in the presence of symmetry, an applied mathematical topic which has developed considerably over the past twenty years and has been very successful in analysing and predicting pattern formation and other critical phenomena in most areas of science where nonlinear models are involved, like fluid flow instabilities, chemical waves, elasticity and population dynamics.The book has two aims. One is to expound the mathematical methods of equivariant bifurcation theory. Beyond the classical bifurcation tools, such as center manifold and normal form reductions, the presence of symmetry requires the introduction of the algebraic and geometric formalism of Lie group theory and transformation group methods. For the first time, all these methods in equivariant bifurcations are presented in a coherent and self-consistent way in a book.The other aim is to present the most recent ideas and results in this theory, in relation to applications. This includes bifurcations of relative equilibria and relative periodic orbits for compact and noncompact group actions, heteroclinic cycles and forced symmetry-breaking perturbations. Although not all recent contributions could be included and a choice had to be made, a rather complete description of these new developments is provided. At the end of every chapter, exercises are offered to the reader.

Dynamical bifurcation theory is concerned with the changes that occur in the global structure of dynamical systems as parameters are varied. This book makes recent research in bifurcation theory of dynamical systems accessible to researchers interested in this subject. In particular, the relevant results obtained by Chinese mathematicians are introduced as well as some of the works of the authors which may not be widely known. The focus is on the analytic approach to the theory and methods of bifurcations. The book prepares graduate students for further study in this area, and it serves as a ready reference for researchers in nonlinear sciences and applied mathematics.

Nonlinear dynamical systems and the formation of spatio-temporal patterns play an important role in current research on partial differential equations. This book contains articles on topics of current interest in applications of dynamical systems theory to problems of pattern formation in space and time. Topics covered include aspects of lattice dynamical systems, convection in fluid layers with large aspect ratios, mixed mode oscillations and canards, bacterial remediation of waste, gyroscopic systems, data clustering, and the second part of Hilbert's 16th problem. Most of the book consists of expository survey material, and so can serve as a source of convenient entry points to current research topics in nonlinear dynamics and pattern formation. This volume arose from a workshop held at the Fields Institute in December of 2003, honoring Professor William F. Langford's fundamental work on the occasion of his sixtieth birthday. Information for our distributors: Titles in this series are copublished with the Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences (Toronto, Ontario, Canada).

An alternative title for this book would perhaps be Nonlinear Analysis, Bifurcation Theory and Differential Equations. Our primary objective is to discuss those aspects of bifurcation theory which are particularly meaningful to differential equations. To accomplish this objective and to make the book accessible to a wider we have presented in detail much of the relevant background audience, material from nonlinear functional analysis and the qualitative theory of differential equations. Since there is no good reference for some of the mate rial, its inclusion seemed necessary. Two distinct aspects of bifurcation theory are discussed-static and dynamic. Static bifurcation theory is concerned with the changes that occur in the structure of the set of zeros of a function as parameters in the function are varied. If the function is a gradient, then variational techniques play an important role and can be employed effectively even for global problems. If the function is not a gradient or if more detailed information is desired, the general theory is usually local. At the same time, the theory is constructive and valid when several independent parameters appear in the function. In differential equations, the equilibrium solutions are the zeros of the vector field. Therefore, methods in static bifurcation theory are directly applicable.

Perturbation theory and in particular normal form theory has shown strong growth in recent decades. This book is a drastic revision of the first edition of the averaging book. The updated chapters represent new insights in averaging, in particular its relation with dynamical systems and the theory of normal forms. Also new are survey appendices on invariant manifolds. One of the most striking features of the book is the collection of examples, which range from the very simple to some that are elaborate, realistic, and of considerable practical importance. Most of them are presented in careful detail and are illustrated with illuminating diagrams.

In the past three decades, bifurcation theory has matured into a well-established and vibrant branch of mathematics. This book gives a unified presentation in an abstract setting of the main theorems in bifurcation theory, as well as more recent and lesser known results. It covers both the local and global theory of one-parameter bifurcations for operators acting in infinite-dimensional Banach spaces, and shows how to apply the theory to problems involving partial differential equations. In addition to existence, qualitative properties such as stability and nodal structure of bifurcating solutions are treated in depth. This volume will serve as an important reference for mathematicians, physicists, and theoretically-inclined engineers working in bifurcation theory and its applications to partial differential equations.

On the 8th of August 1900 outstanding German mathematician David Hilbert delivered a talk "Mathematical problems" at the Second Interna tional Congress of Mathematicians in Paris. The talk covered practically all directions of mathematical thought of that time and contained a list of 23 problems which determined the further development of mathema tics in many respects (1, 119]. Hilbert's Sixteenth Problem (the second part) was stated as follows: Problem. To find the maximum number and to determine the relative position of limit cycles of the equation dy Qn(X, y) -= dx Pn(x, y)' where Pn and Qn are polynomials of real variables x, y with real coeffi cients and not greater than n degree. The study of limit cycles is an interesting and very difficult problem of the qualitative theory of differential equations. This theory was origi nated at the end of the nineteenth century in the works of two geniuses of the world science: of the Russian mathematician A. M. Lyapunov and of the French mathematician Henri Poincare. A. M. Lyapunov set forth and solved completely in the very wide class of cases a special problem of the qualitative theory: the problem of motion stability (154]. In turn, H. Poincare stated a general problem of the qualitative analysis which was formulated as follows: not integrating the differential equation and using only the properties of its right-hand sides, to give as more as possi ble complete information on the qualitative behaviour of integral curves defined by this equation (176].

An extension of different lectures given by the authors, Local Bifurcations, Center Manifolds, and Normal Forms in Infinite Dimensional Dynamical Systems provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of these topics. Starting with the simplest bifurcation problems arising for ordinary differential equations in one- and two-dimensions, this book describes several tools from the theory of infinite dimensional dynamical systems, allowing the reader to treat more complicated bifurcation problems, such as bifurcations arising in partial differential equations. Attention is restricted to the study of local bifurcations with a focus upon the center manifold reduction and the normal form theory; two methods that have been widely used during the last decades. Through use of step-by-step examples and exercises, a number of possible applications are illustrated, and allow the less familiar reader to use this reduction method by checking some clear assumptions. Written by recognised experts in the field of center manifold and normal form theory this book provides a much-needed graduate level text on bifurcation theory, center manifolds and normal form theory. It will appeal to graduate students and researchers working in dynamical system theory.