Maslov index

The Maslov index is a mathematical tool used to measure the phase change or "twist" that occurs when a system's state evolves along a path in a geometric or quantum space. Think of it as counting how many times certain structural features of this path, like intersections with a reference shape, are crossed or "wrapped around." This index helps in understanding phenomena in physics and mathematics, such as wave behavior or symmetries in complex systems, by capturing subtle topological information about how the system's configuration changes over time.