Solutions And The Inverse Scattering Transform

A study, by two of the major contributors to the theory, of the inverse scattering transform and its application to problems of nonlinear dispersive waves that arise in fluid dynamics, plasma physics, nonlinear optics, particle physics, crystal lattice theory, nonlinear circuit theory and other areas. A soliton is a localised pulse-like nonlinear wave that possesses remarkable stability properties. Typically, problems that admit soliton solutions are in the form of evolution equations that describe how some variable or set of variables evolve in time from a given state. The equations may take a variety of forms, for example, PDEs, differential difference equations, partial difference equations, and integrodifferential equations, as well as coupled ODEs of finite order. What is surprising is that, although these problems are nonlinear, the general solution that evolves from almost arbitrary initial data may be obtained without approximation.

Under appropriate conditions, ocean waves may be modeled by certain nonlinear evolution equations that admit soliton solutions and can be solved exactly by the inverse scattering transform (IST). The theory of these special equations is developed in five lectures. As physical models, these equations typically govern the evolution of narrow-band packets of small amplitude waves on a long (post-linear) time scale. This is demonstrated in Lecture I, using the Korteweg-deVries equation as an example. Lectures II and III develop the theory of IST on the infinite interval. The close connection of aspects of this theory to Fourier analysis, to canonical transformations of Hamiltonian systems, and to the theory of analytic functions is established. Typical solutions, including solitons and radiation, are discussed as well. With periodic boundary conditions, the Korteweg-deVries equation exhibits recurrence, as discussed in Lecture IV. The fifth lecture emphasizes the deep connection between evolution equations solvable by IST and Painleve transcendents, with an application to the Lorenz model. (Author).

Swift progress and new applications characterize the area of solitons and the inverse scattering transform. There are rapid developments in current nonlinear optical technology: Larger intensities are more available; pulse widths are smaller; relaxation times and damping rates are less significant. In keeping with these advancements, exactly integrable soliton equations, such as $3$-wave resonant interactions and second harmonic generation, are becoming more and more relevant in experimental applications. Techniques are now being developed for using these interactions to frequency convert high intensity sources into frequency regimes where there are no lasers. Other experiments involve using these interactions to develop intense variable frequency sources, opening up even more possibilities. This volume contains new developments and state-of-the-art research arising from the conference on the ""Legacy of the Inverse Scattering Transform"" held at Mount Holyoke College (South Hadley, MA). Unique to this volume is the opening section, ""Reviews"". This part of the book provides reviews of major research results in the inverse scattering transform (IST), on the application of IST to classical problems in differential geometry, on algebraic and analytic aspects of soliton-type equations, on a new method for studying boundary value problems for integrable partial differential equations (PDEs) in two dimensions, on chaos in PDEs, on advances in multi-soliton complexes, and on a unified approach to integrable systems via Painleve analysis. This conference provided a forum for general exposition and discussion of recent developments in nonlinear waves and related areas with potential applications to other fields. The book will be of interest to graduate students and researchers interested in mathematics, physics, and engineering.

Nonlinear waves are essential phenomena in scientific and engineering disciplines. The features of nonlinear waves are usually described by solutions to nonlinear partial differential equations (NLPDEs). This book was prepared to familiarize students with nonlinear waves and methods of solving NLPDEs, which will enable them to expand their studies into related areas. The selection of topics and the focus given to each provide essential materials for a lecturer teaching a nonlinear wave course.Chapter 1 introduces 'mode' types in nonlinear systems as well as Bäcklund transform, an indispensable technique to solve generic NLPDEs for stationary solutions. Chapters 2 and 3 are devoted to the derivation and solution characterization of three generic nonlinear equations: nonlinear Schrödinger equation, Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation, and Burgers equation. Chapter 4 is devoted to the inverse scattering transform (IST), addressing the initial value problems of a group of NLPDEs. In Chapter 5, derivations and proofs of the IST formulas are presented. Steps for applying IST to solve NLPDEs for solitary solutions are illustrated in Chapter 6.

The Inverse Scattering Transformation and The Theory of Solitons

This book provides an introduction to the most recent developments in the theory and practice of direct and inverse Sturm-Liouville problems on finite and infinite intervals. A universal approach for practical solving of direct and inverse spectral and scattering problems is presented, based on the notion of transmutation (transformation) operators and their efficient construction. Analytical representations for solutions of Sturm-Liouville equations as well as for the integral kernels of the transmutation operators are derived in the form of functional series revealing interesting special features and lending themselves to direct and simple numerical solution of a wide variety of problems. The book is written for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as for mathematicians, physicists and engineers interested in direct and inverse spectral problems.

With the advent of the comparatively new disciplines of remote sensing and non-destructive evaluation of materials, the topic of inverse scattering has broadened from its origins in elementary particle physics to encompass a diversity of applications. One such area which is of increasing importance in inverse scattering within the context of electromagnetism and this text aims to serve as an introduction to that particular speciality. The subject's development has progressed at the hands of engineers, mathematicians and physicists alike, with an inevitable disparity of emphasis and notation. One of the main objectives of this text is to distill the essence of the subject and to present it in the form of a graduated and coherent development of ideas and techniques. The text provides a physical approach to inverse scattering solutions, emphasizing the applied aspects rather than the mathematical rigour. The authors' teaching and research backgrounds in physics, electrical engineering and applied mathematics enable them to explore and stress the cross disciplinary nature of the subject. This treatment will be of use to anyone embarking on a theoretical or practical study of inverse electromagnetic scattering.

This interesting volume focuses on the second of the two broad categories into which problems of physical sciences fall-direct (or forward) and inverse (or backward) problems. It emphasizes one-dimensional problems because of their mathematical clarity. The unique feature of the monograph is its rigorous presentation of inverse problems (from quantum scattering to vibrational systems), transmission lines, and imaging sciences in a single volume. It includes exhaustive discussions on spectral function, inverse scattering integral equations of Gel'fand-Levitan and Marcenko, Povzner-Levitan and Levin transforms, Møller wave operators and Krein's functionals, S-matrix and scattering data, and inverse scattering transform for solving nonlinear evolution equations via inverse solving of a linear, isospectral Schrodinger equation and multisoliton solutions of the K-dV equation, which are of special interest to quantum physicists and mathematicians. The book also gives an exhaustive account of inverse problems in discrete systems, including inverting a Jacobi and a Toeplitz matrix, which can be applied to geophysics, electrical engineering, applied mechanics, and mathematics. A rigorous inverse problem for a continuous transmission line developed by Brown and Wilcox is included. The book concludes with inverse problems in integral geometry, specifically Radon's transform and its inversion, which is of particular interest to imaging scientists. This fascinating volume will interest anyone involved with quantum scattering, theoretical physics, linear and nonlinear optics, geosciences, mechanical, biomedical, and electrical engineering, and imaging research.