Soliton Equations And Hamiltonian Systems

The theory of soliton equations and integrable systems has developed rapidly during the last 20 years with numerous applications in mechanics and physics. For a long time books in this field have not been written but the flood of papers was overwhelming: many hundreds, maybe thousands of them. All this followed one single work by Gardner, Greene, Kruskal, and Miura about the Korteweg-de Vries equation (KdV) which, had seemed to be merely an unassuming equation of mathematical physics describing waves in shallow water.

The theory of soliton equations and integrable systems has developed rapidly during the last 30 years with numerous applications in mechanics and physics. For a long time, books in this field have not been written but the flood of papers was overwhelming: many hundreds, maybe thousands of them. All this output followed one single work by Gardner, Green, Kruskal, and Mizura on the Korteweg-de Vries equation (KdV), which had seemed to be merely an unassuming equation of mathematical physics describing waves in shallow water. Besides its obvious practical use, this theory is attractive also because it satisfies the aesthetic need in a beautiful formula which is so inherent to mathematics. The second edition is up-to-date and differs from the first one considerably. One third of the book (five chapters) is completely new and the rest is refreshed and edited. Contents: Integrable Systems Generated by Linear Differential n th Order Operators; Hamiltonian Structures; Hamiltonian Structure of the GD Hierarchies; Modified KdV and GD. The KupershmidtOCoWilson Theorem; The KP Hierarchy; Baker Function, a-Function; Additional Symmetries, String Equation; Grassmannian. Algebraic-Geometrical Krichever Solutions; Matrix First-Order Operator, AKNS-D Hierarchy; Generalization of the AKNS-D Hierarchy: Single-Pole and Multi-Pole Matrix Hierarchies; Isomonodromic Deformations and the Most General Matrix Hierarchy; Tau Functions of Matrix Hierarchies; KP, Modified KP, Constrained KP, Discrete KP, and q -KP; Another Chain of KP Hierarchies and Integrals Over Matrix Varieties; Transformational Properties of a Differential Operator under Diffeomorphisms and Classical W -Algebras; Further Restrictions of the KP, Stationary Equations; Stationary Equations of the Matrix Hierarchy; Field Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Formalism; Further Examples and Applications. Readership: Applied mathematicians and mathematical physicists."

The main characteristic of this classic exposition of the inverse scattering method and its applications to soliton theory is its consistent Hamiltonian approach to the theory. The nonlinear Schrödinger equation is considered as a main example, forming the first part of the book. The second part examines such fundamental models as the sine-Gordon equation and the Heisenberg equation, the classification of integrable models and methods for constructing their solutions.

Some of the most active practitioners in the field of integrable systems have been asked to describe what they think of as the problems and results which seem to be most interesting and important now and are likely to influence future directions. The papers in this collection, representing their authors' responses, offer a broad panorama of the subject as it enters the 1990's.

This IMA Volume in Mathematics and its Applications SOLITONS IN PHYSICS, MATHEMATICS, AND NONLINEAR OPTICS is based on the proceedings of two workshops which were an integral part of the 1988-89 IMA program on NONLINEAR WAVES. The workshops focussed on the main parts of the theory of solitons and on the applications of solitons in physics, biology and engineering, with a special concentration on nonlinear optics. We thank the Coordinating Committee: James Glimm, Daniel Joseph, Barbara Keyfitz, An Majda, Alan Newell, Peter Olver, David Sattinger and David Schaeffer for drew planning and implementing the stimulating year-long program. We especially thank the Workshop Organizers for Solitons in Physics and Mathematics, Alan Newell, Peter Olver, and David Sattinger, and for Nonlinear Optics and Plasma Physics, David Kaup and Yuji Kodama for their efforts in bringing together many of the major figures in those research fields in which solitons in physics, mathematics, and nonlinear optics theories are used. A vner Friedman Willard Miller, Jr. PREFACE This volume includes some of the lectures given at two workshops, "Solitons in Physics and Mathematics" and "Solitons in Nonlinear Optics and Plasma Physics" held during the 1988-89 LM. A. year on Nonlinear Waves. Since their discovery by Kruskal and Zabusky in the early 1960's, solitons have had a profound impact on many fields, ranging from engineering and physics to algebraic geometry.

A coherent introduction to the complete range of soliton theory including Hirota's method and Backlund transformations. Details physical applications of soliton theory with chapters on the peculiar wave patterns of the Andaman Sea, atmospheric phenomena, general relativity and Davydov solitons. Contains testing for full integrability, a discussion of the Painlevé technique, symmetries and conservation law.

"Solitons and Chaos" is a response to the growing interest in systems exhibiting these two complementary manifestations of nonlinearity. The papers cover a wide range of topics but share common mathematical notions and investigation techniques. An introductory note on eight concepts of integrability has been added as a guide for the uninitiated reader. Both specialists and graduate students will find this update on the state ofthe art useful. Key points: chaos vs. integrability; solitons: theory and applications; dissipative systems; Hamiltonian systems; maps and cascades; direct vs. inverse methods; higher dimensions; Lie groups, Painleve analysis, numerical algorithms; pertubation methods.