Classical Converse Theorems in Lyapunov's Second Method

Abstract

Lyapunov's second or direct method is one of the most widely used techniques for investigating stability properties of dynamical systems. This technique makes use of an auxiliary function, called a Lyapunov function, to ascertain stability properties for a specific system without the need to generate system solutions. An important question is the converse or reversability of Lyapunov's second method; i.e., given a specific stability property does there exist an appropriate Lyapunov function? We survey some of the available answers to this question.