LIFTING DIFFERENTIABLE CURVES FROM ORBIT SPACES

Let ρ: G → O(V) be a real finite dimensional orthogonal representation of a compact Lie group, let σ = (σ ₁, ?, σn): V → ? ⁿ , where σ ₁, ?, σn n form a minimal system of homogeneous generators of the G-invariant polynomials on V, and set d = max_i deg σ _i . We prove that for each C ^d?1,1-curve c in σ(V) ?? ⁿ there exits a locally Lipschitz lift over σ, i.e., a locally Lipschitz curve \( \overline{c} \) in V so that c = σ ° \( \overline{c} \), and we obtain explicit bounds for the Lipschitz constant of \( \overline{c} \) in terms of c. Moreover, we show that each C ^d -curve in σ(V) admits a C ¹-lift. For finite groups G we deduce a multivariable version and some further results.