A symplectic proof of a theorem of Franks

Abstract

AbstractA celebrated theorem in two-dimensional dynamics due to John Franks asserts that every area-preserving homeomorphism of the sphere has either two or infinitely many periodic points. In this work we re-prove Franks’ theorem under the additional assumption that the map is smooth. Our proof uses only tools from symplectic topology and thus differs significantly from previous proofs. A crucial role is played by the results of Ginzburg and Kerman concerning resonance relations for Hamiltonian diffeomorphisms.