Composite Lyapunov Criteria for Stability and Convergence with Applications to Optimization Dynamics

Abstract: We propose a composite Lyapunov framework for nonlinear autonomous systems that ensures strict decay through a pair of differential inequalities. The approach yields integral estimates, quantitative convergence rates, vanishing of dissipation measures, convergence to a critical set, and semistability under mild conditions, without relying on invariance principles or compactness assumptions. The framework unifies convergence to points and sets and is illustrated through applications to inertial gradient systems and Primal--Dual gradient flows.