[Math] Persistence of fixed points under perturbation in dynamical systems

ds.dynamical-systemsmp.mathematical-physicsstatistical-physics

Suppose we have a smooth dynamical system on $R^n$ (defined by a system of ODEs). Assuming that the system has a finite set of fixed points, I am interested in knowing (or obtaining references about) what is the behaviour of its fixed point structure under perturbations of the ODEs. More specifically, i would like to know under which conditions the total number of fixed points remains the same. By perturbations I mean generic changes in the system of equations… the more general the better.

I am sorry if the question is too basic, my interest comes from the study of the so-called renormalization flow in field theories. In particular, it would be important for me to generate an intuition about the conditions under which the approximations performed over a dynamical system alters its fixed point structure.

Best Answer

A good reference for this sort of thing is Guckenheimer and Holmes, Nonlinear Oscillations, Dynamical Systems, and Bifurcations of Vector Fields, Springer-Verlag, 1983, if you're not already familiar with it (and even if you are, for that matter). Chapter 3 in particular is relevant to your question.

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