Pugh's closing lemma

Short description: Mathematical result

In mathematics, Pugh's closing lemma is a result that links periodic orbit solutions of differential equations to chaotic behaviour. It can be formally stated as follows:

Let $f:M\to M$ be a $C^1$ diffeomorphism of a compact smooth manifold $M$. Given a nonwandering point $x$ of $f$, there exists a diffeomorphism $g$ arbitrarily close to $f$ in the $C^1$ topology of ${\mathrm{Diff}}^1(M)$ such that $x$ is a periodic point of $g$.

Interpretation

Pugh's closing lemma means, for example, that any chaotic set in a bounded continuous dynamical system corresponds to a periodic orbit in a different but closely related dynamical system. As such, an open set of conditions on a bounded continuous dynamical system that rules out periodic behaviour also implies that the system cannot behave chaotically; this is the basis of some autonomous convergence theorems.

See also

• Smale's problems

Further reading

• Araújo, Vítor; Pacifico, Maria José (2010). Three-Dimensional Flows. Berlin: Springer. ISBN 978-3-642-11414-4.