Ushiki's theorem explained

In mathematics, particularly in the study of functions of several complex variables, Ushiki's theorem, named after S. Ushiki, states that certain well-behaved functions cannot have certain kinds of well-behaved invariant manifolds.

The theorem

F: C ^{n\toC} ^{n} cannot have a 1-dimensional compact smooth invariant manifold. In particular, such a map cannot have a homoclinic connection or heteroclinic connection.

Commentary

Invariant manifolds typically appear as solutions of certain asymptotic problems in dynamical systems. The most common is the stable manifold or its kin, the unstable manifold.

The publication

Ushiki's theorem was published in 1980.^[1] The theorem appeared in print again several years later, in a certain Russian journal, by an author apparently unaware of Ushiki's work.

An application

The standard map cannot have a homoclinic or heteroclinic connection. The practical consequence is that one cannot show the existence of a Smale's horseshoe in this system by a perturbation method, starting from a homoclinic or heteroclinic connection. Nevertheless, one can show that Smale's horseshoe exists in the standard map for many parameter values, based on crude rigorous numerical calculations.

See also

• Melnikov distance
• Equichordal point problem

Notes and References

1. S. Ushiki. Sur les liaisons-cols des systèmes dynamiques analytiques. C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, 291(7):447–449, 1980