Improving the Regularity of Vector Fields

Abstract: Let $\alpha>0$, $\beta>\alpha$, and let $X_1,\ldots, X_q$ be $\mathscr{C}^{\alpha}_{\mathrm{loc}}$ vector fields on a $\mathscr{C}^{\alpha+1}$ manifold which span the tangent space at every point, where $\mathscr{C}^{s}$ denotes the Zygmund-H\"older space of order $s$. We give necessary and sufficient conditions for when there is a $\mathscr{C}^{\beta+1}$ structure on the manifold, compatible with its $\mathscr{C}^{\alpha+1}$ structure, with respect to which $X_1,\ldots, X_q$ are $\mathscr{C}^{\beta}_{\mathrm{loc}}$. This strengthens previous results of the first author which dealt with the setting $\alpha>1$, $\beta>\max{ \alpha, 2}$.