Equivariant Conley index versus degree for equivariant gradient maps

Abstract

In this article we study the relationship between the degree forinvariant strongly indefinite functionals and the equivariantConley index. We prove that, under certain assumptions, achange of the equivariant Conley indices is equivalent to thechange of the degrees for equivariant gradient maps. Moreover, weformulate easy to verify sufficient conditions for theexistence of a global bifurcation of critical orbits of invariantstrongly indefinite functionals.