Algebraic Groups And Differential Galois Theory

Differential Galois theory has seen intense research activity during the last decades in several directions: elaboration of more general theories, computational aspects, model theoretic approaches, applications to classical and quantum mechanics as well as to other mathematical areas such as number theory. This book intends to introduce the reader to this subject by presenting Picard-Vessiot theory, i.e. Galois theory of linear differential equations, in a self-contained way. The needed prerequisites from algebraic geometry and algebraic groups are contained in the first two parts of the book. The third part includes Picard-Vessiot extensions, the fundamental theorem of Picard-Vessiot theory, solvability by quadratures, Fuchsian equations, monodromy group and Kovacic's algorithm. Over one hundred exercises will help to assimilate the concepts and to introduce the reader to some topics beyond the scope of this book. This book is suitable for a graduate course in differential Galois theory. The last chapter contains several suggestions for further reading encouraging the reader to enter more deeply into different topics of differential Galois theory or related fields.

From the reviews: "This is a great book, which will hopefully become a classic in the subject of differential Galois theory. [...] the specialist, as well as the novice, have long been missing an introductory book covering also specific and advanced research topics. This gap is filled by the volume under review, and more than satisfactorily." Mathematical Reviews

Differential Galois theory studies solutions of differential equations over a differential base field. In much the same way that ordinary Galois theory is the theory of field extensions generated by solutions of (one variable) polynomial equations, differential Galois theory looks at the nature of the differential field extension generated by the solutions of differential equations. An additional feature is that the corresponding differential Galois groups (of automorphisms of the extension fixing the base and commuting with the derivation) are algebraic groups. This book deals with the differential Galois theory of linear homogeneous differential equations, whose differential Galois groups are algebraic matrix groups.In addition to providing a convenient path to Galois theory, this approach also leads to the constructive solution of the inverse problem of differential Galois theory for various classes of algebraic groups. Providing a self-contained development and many explicit examples, this book provides a unique approach to differential Galois theory and is suitable as a textbook at the advanced graduate level.

Differential Galois theory is an important, fast developing area which appears more and more in graduate courses since it mixes fundamental objects from many different areas of mathematics in a stimulating context. For a long time, the dominant approach, usually called Picard-Vessiot Theory, was purely algebraic. This approach has been extensively developed and is well covered in the literature. An alternative approach consists in tagging algebraic objects with transcendental information which enriches the understanding and brings not only new points of view but also new solutions. It is very powerful and can be applied in situations where the Picard-Vessiot approach is not easily extended. This book offers a hands-on transcendental approach to differential Galois theory, based on the Riemann-Hilbert correspondence. Along the way, it provides a smooth, down-to-earth introduction to algebraic geometry, category theory and tannakian duality. Since the book studies only complex analytic linear differential equations, the main prerequisites are complex function theory, linear algebra, and an elementary knowledge of groups and of polynomials in many variables. A large variety of examples, exercises, and theoretical constructions, often via explicit computations, offers first-year graduate students an accessible entry into this exciting area.

Differential algebra explores properties of solutions to systems of (ordinary or partial, linear or nonlinear) differential equations from an algebraic point of view. It includes as special cases algebraic systems as well as differential systems with algebraic constraints. This algebraic theory of Joseph F Ritt and Ellis R Kolchin is further enriched by its interactions with algebraic geometry, Diophantine geometry, differential geometry, model theory, control theory, automatic theorem proving, combinatorics, and difference equations. Differential algebra now plays an important role in computational methods such as symbolic integration, and symmetry analysis of differential equations. This volume includes tutorial and survey papers presented at workshop. Contents:The Ritt–Kolchin Theory for Differential Polynomials (W Y Sit)Differential Schemes (J J Kovacic)Differential Algebra — A Scheme Theory Approach (H Gillet)Model Theory and Differential Algebra (T Scanlon)Inverse Differential Galois Theory (A R Magid)Differential Galois Theory, Universal Rings and Universal Groups (M van der Put)Cyclic Vectors (R C Churchill & J J Kovacic)Differential Algebraic Techniques in Hamiltonian Mechanics (R C Churchill)Moving Frames and Differential Algebra (E L Mansfield)Baxter Algebras and Differential Algebras (L Guo) Readership: Graduate students, pure mathematicians, logicians, algebraic geometers, applied mathematicians and physicists. Keywords:Differential Algebra;Mathematical Logic;Algebraic Geometry;Mathematical Physics

This collection consists of original work on Galois theory, rings and algebras, algebraic geometry, group representations, algebraic K—theory and some of their applications.

Differential Algebra & Algebraic Groups