Morse Theory & Floer Homology

A Morse function f on a manifold has isolated critical points. Gradient flow lines connect them, defining the Morse complex. Floer homology extends this to infinite-dimensional settings.

Morse inequality: #(index-k critical pts) ≥ rank Hk(M). Strong form: Morse complex computes full homology.

Index-2 (maxima)
Index-1 (saddles)
Index-0 (minima)
Gradient flow lines