Let be the local flow of a vector field . The Lie derivative of a differential form is . We prove Cartan's magic formula
Both sides are degree-zero derivations of an algebra on the exterior algebra of differential forms. They agree on a function , since . They also agree on : pullback commutes with the exterior derivative, so , while . Locally every differential form is a sum of products of functions and coordinate differentials, proving the identity in every degree.
For a compactly supported Hamiltonian vector field , take the convention . Since , Cartan's magic formula gives , so its complete flow of a vector field consists of symplectomorphisms. Given and , a bump function lets us choose a compactly supported with , and hence . Choose such fields for a basis of . Their successive small-time flows give a map with invertible derivative at the origin. The inverse function theorem makes the orbit of open. Every orbit is open; because is connected, there is only one orbit. Thus the compactly supported symplectomorphisms act transitively on points, by Hamiltonian transitivity on a connected symplectic manifold.
On the unit sphere, the standard symplectic area is . The equator has complementary disks of areas , whereas the latitude at height has complementary disks of areas : the cap above height has area . A symplectomorphism must preserve the unordered pair of complementary areas. Therefore no such symplectomorphism exists, by complementary areas obstruct symplectic equivalence of separating curves.
Figure 1.
Complementary sphere areas distinguish the equator from the latitude at height one half
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