On Milnor's fibration theorem and its offspring after 50 years

Abstract

Milnor's fibration theorem is about the geometry and topology of real and complex analytic maps near their critical points, a ubiquitous theme in mathematics. As such, after 50 years, this has become a whole area of research on its own, with a vast literature, plenty of different viewpoints, a large progeny and connections with many other branches of mathematics. In this work we revisit the classical theory in both the real and complex settings, and we glance at some areas of current research and connections with other important topics. The purpose of this article is two-fold. On the one hand, it should serve as an introduction to the topic for non-experts, and on the other hand, it gives a wide perspective of some of the work on the subject that has been and is being done. It includes a vast literature for further reading.