Foliation theory has its origins in the global analysis of solutions of ordinary differential equations: on an n-dimensional manifold M, an [autonomous] differential equation is defined by a vector field X; if this vector field has no singularities, then its trajectories form a par- tition of M into curves, i.e. a foliation of codimension n - 1. More generally, a foliation F of codimension q on M corresponds to a partition of M into immersed submanifolds [the leaves] of dimension ,--------,- - . - -- p = n - q. The first global image that comes to mind is 1--------;- - - - - - that of a stack of "plaques". 1---------;- - - - - - Viewed laterally [transver- 1--------1- - - -- sally], the leaves of such a 1--------1 - - - - -. stacking are the points of a 1--------1--- ----. quotient manifold W of di- L...-' _ mension q. -----~) W M Actually, this image corresponds to an elementary type of folia- tion, that one says is "simple". For an arbitrary foliation, it is only l- u L ally [on a "simpIe" open set U] that the foliation appears as a stack of plaques and admits a local quotient manifold.
Globally, a leaf L may - - return and cut a simple open set U in several plaques, sometimes even an infinite number of plaques.
- ISBN10 0817633707
- ISBN13 9780817633707
- Publish Date 1 January 1988
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 11 December 2011
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Birkhauser Boston Inc
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 356
- Language English