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CounterexampleConstruction: Literature-sourcedVerification: AI-adaptedPipeline-generatedaudited 2026-09-07
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The symmetric torus height flow is not Morse--Smale

Statement refuted

For every embedded Riemannian manifold, a Morse height function together with its induced-metric negative-gradient flow is Morse--Smale.

Witness

For R>r>0, embed the torus with angular coordinates u,v modulo 2π by E(u,v)=((R+rcos⁡v)cos⁡u,rsin⁡v,(R+rcos⁡v)sin⁡u). Take vertical height f=(R+rcos⁡v)sin⁡u and the induced metric g. The inner equator contains saddle-to-saddle trajectories of X=−grad⁡gf.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The embedded torus E, constants R>r>0, height f, induced metric g, and negative-gradient field X specified above.

[F1]

In the metric version of Morse--Smale pairs, stable and unstable manifolds are forward- and backward-limit manifolds of the complete negative-gradient flow; Morse--Smale requires all their intersections to be transverse. The normalized local form for a downward gradient-like field is not an additional condition on this metric version.

Counterexample

technique · direct
1.1givenalgebra

Put A=R+rcos⁡v>0. Differentiating the embedding gives g=A2du2+r2dv2, and hence u˙=−cos⁡u/A, v˙=sin⁡vsin⁡u/r. This smooth field is complete because the torus is compact.

1.2givenalgebra

The critical equations are cos⁡u=0 and sin⁡v=0, giving exactly four points. At each, the Hessian in (u,v) is diagonal with entries −Asin⁡u and −rcos⁡vsin⁡u. Both entries are nonzero. Thus (π/2,0) is a maximum, (3π/2,0) a minimum, and a=(π/2,π) and b=(3π/2,π) are saddles; in particular f is Morse everywhere.

2.1step 1.1step 1.2algebra

The circle v=π is invariant. On its interval π/2<u<3π/2, u˙=−cos⁡u/(R−r)>0, so every point has backward limit a and forward limit b. Locally at a, writing w=v−π gives w˙=−sin⁡wsin⁡u/r; for w≠0 small this forces ∣w∣ to increase backwards while u stays near π/2. Thus a backward-converging trajectory must have w=0. At b the same equation forces nonzero ∣w∣ to increase forwards, so a forward-converging trajectory must also have w=0. Uniqueness and flow transport show that the indicated unstable and stable branches are precisely arcs of this circle.

3.1F1step 2.1algebra∎

Consequently, at every point of this open interval, TWu(a)=TWs(b)=R∂u. Their tangent sum has dimension one, whereas the torus has dimension two. The metric pair (f,g) therefore fails the Morse--Smale condition.

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