Iteration theory of $L$-index and Multiplicity of brake orbits

Abstract

In this paper, we first establish the Bott-type iteration formulas and some abstract precise iteration formulas of the Maslov-type index theory associated with a Lagrangian subspace for symplectic paths. As an application, we prove that there exist at least $[\frac{n}{2}]+1$ geometrically distinct brake orbits on every $C^2$ compact convex symmetric hypersurface $\Sigma$ in $\mathbb{R}^{2n}$ satisfying the reversible condition $N\Sigma=\Sigma$, furthermore, if all brake orbits on this hypersurface are nondegenerate, then there are at least $n$ geometrically distinct brake orbits on it. As a consequence, we show that there exist at least $[\frac{n}{2}]+1$ geometrically distinct brake orbits in every bounded convex symmetric domain in $\mathbb{R}^{n}$, furthermore, if all brake orbits in this domain are nondegenerate, then there are at least $n$ geometrically distinct brake orbits in it. In the symmetric case, we give a positive answer to the Seifert conjecture of 1948 under a generic condition.