Morse handle-attachment theorem

Crossing one nondegenerate critical point of Morse index $\lambda$ in a compact sublevel interval attaches a handle $D^{\lambda }\times D^{m-\lambda }$. Between critical levels a suitably normalized gradient flow identifies the sublevels. The Morse lemma supplies the local quadratic model for the attachment. Retracting each handle to its core disk gives a CW complex model with one $\lambda$-cell per critical point. Closed manifolds have finite such decompositions; a noncompact manifold requires a proper bounded-below exhaustion for the corresponding statement.