The geometric nature of Lie and Noether symmetries

It is shown that the Lie and the Noether symmetries of the equations of motion of a dynamical system whose equations of motion in a Riemannian space are of the form [(x)\ddot]ⁱ+G_jkⁱ[(x)\dot]^j[(x)\dot] ^k+f(xⁱ)=0{\ddot{x}^{i}+\Gamma_{jk}^{i}\dot{x}^{j}\dot{x} ^{k}+f(x^{i})=0} where f(x ⁱ ) is an arbitrary function of its argument, are generated from the Lie algebra of special projective collineations and the homothetic algebra of the space respectively. Therefore the computation of Lie and Noether symmetries of a given dynamical system in these cases is reduced to the problem of computation of the special projective algebra of the space. It is noted that the Lie and Noether symmetry vectors are common to all dynamical systems moving in the same background space. The selection of the vectors which are Lie/Noether symmetries for a given dynamical system is done by means of a set of differential conditions involving the vectors and the potential function defining the dynamical system. The general results are applied to a number of different applications concerning (a) The motion in Euclidean space under the action of a general central potential (b) The motion in a space of constant curvature (c) The determination of the Lie and the Noether symmetries of class A Bianchi type hypersurface orthogonal spacetimes filled with a scalar field minimally coupled to gravity (d) The analytic computation of the Bianchi I metric when the scalar field has an exponential potential.     

Noether-Symmetry Analysis using Alternative Lagrangian Representations

We have sought to work with an approach to Noether symmetry analysis which uses the properties of infinitesimal point transformations in the space-time (q, t) variable to establish the association between symmetries and conservation laws of a dynamical system. In this approach symmetries are expressed in the form of generators. We have studied the variational or Noether symmetries of two uncoupled Harmonic oscillators and two such oscillators coupled by an interaction. Both these systems can have alternative Lagrangian representations. We have studied in detail how the association between symmetries and conservation laws changes as one alters the analytic or Lagrangian representation. This analysis is carried out with a view to explicitly demonstrate that the correlation between symmetry transformation and corresponding invariant quantity depends crucially on the choice of the analytic representation. PACS 45.20.Jj, 45.20.df, 45.20.dh     

Noether Symmetries Versus Killing Vectors and Isometries of Spacetimes

Symmetries of spacetime manifolds which are given by Killing vectors are compared with the symmetries of the Lagrangians of the respective spacetimes. We find the point generators of the one parameter Lie groups of transformations that leave invariant the action integral corresponding to the Lagrangian (Noether symmetries). In the examples considered, it is shown that the Noether symmetries obtained by considering the Larangians provide additional symmetries which are not provided by the Killing vectors. It is conjectured that these symmetries would always provide a larger Lie algebra of which the KV symmetres will form a subalgebra. PACS: 04.25.-g, 02.20.Sv, 11.30.-j     

Conservation Laws and Non-Lie Symmetries for Linear PDEs

Abstract

We introduce a method to construct conservation laws for a large class of linear partial differential equations. In contrast to the classical result of Noether, the conserved currents are generated by any symmetry of the operator, including those of the non-Lie type. An explicit example is made of the Dirac equation were we use our construction to find a class of conservation laws associated with a 64 dimensional Lie algebra of discrete symmetries that includes CPT.     

Symmetry Reductions of a Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman Equation Arising in Financial Mathematics

Abstract

We determine the solutions of a nonlinear Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation which arises in the modelling of mean-variance hedging subject to a terminal condition. Firstly we establish those forms of the equation which admit the maximal number of Lie point symmetries and then examine each in turn. We show that the Lie method is only suitable for an equation of maximal symmetry. We indicate the applicability of the method to cases in which the parametric function depends also upon the time.     

Symmetry Analysis of Nonlinear PDE with A “Mathematica” Program SYMMAN

Abstract

Computer-aided symbolic and graphic computation allows to make significantly easier both theoretical and applied symmetry analysis of PDE. This idea is illustrated by applying a special “Mathematica” package for obtaining conditional symmetries of the nonlinear wave equation u _t = (u u _x)_x invariant or partially invariant under its classical Lie symmetries.     

New spherically symmetric solutions in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>)-gravity by Noether symmetries

Spherical symmetry for f (R)-gravity is discussed by searching for Noether symmetries. The method consists in selecting conserved quantities in form of currents that reduce dynamics of f (R)-models compatible with symmetries. In this way we get a general method to obtain constants of motion without setting a priori the form of f (R). In this sense, the Noether symmetry results a physical criterium. Relevant cases are discussed.     

Lie point symmetries and ODEs passing the Painlevé test

The Lie point symmetries of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) that are candidates for having the Painlevé property are explored for ODEs of order n = 2,?. . .?, 5. Among the 6 ODEs identifying the Painlevé transcendents only P_III, P_V and P_VI have nontrivial symmetry algebras and that only for very special values of the parameters. In those cases the transcendents can be expressed in terms of simpler functions, i.e. elementary functions, solutions of linear equations, elliptic functions or Painlevé transcendents occurring at lower order. For higher order or higher degree ODEs that pass the Painlevé test only very partial classifications have been published. We consider many examples that exist in the literature and show how their symmetry groups help to identify those that may define genuinely new transcendents.     

Non-Noether symmetries and conserved quantities of the Lagrange mechano-electrical systems

This paper focuses on studying non-Noether symmetries and conserved quantities of Lagrange mechano-electrical dynamical systems. Based on the relationships between the motion and Lagrangian, we present conservation laws on non-Noether symmetries for Lagrange mechano-electrical dynamical systems. A criterion is obtained on which non-Noether symmetry leads to Noether symmetry of the systems. The work also gives connections between the non-Noether symmetries and Lie point symmetries, and further obtains Lie invariants to form a complete set of non-Noether conserved quantity. Finally, an example is discussed to illustrate these results.     

The Noether Conservation Laws of Some Vaidiya Metrics

In this paper, we show that a large amount information can be extracted from a knowledge of the vector fields that leave the action integral invariant, viz., Noether symmetries. In addition to a larger class of conservation laws than those given by the isometries or Killing vectors, we may conclude what the isometries are and that these form a Lie subalgebra of the Noether symmetry algebra. We perform our analysis on versions of the Vaidiya metric yielding some previously unknown information regarding the corresponding manifold. Lastly, with particular reference to this metric, we show that the only variations on m(u) that occur are m=0, m=constant, m=u and m=m(u).     

Energy Content of Colliding Plane Waves Using Approximate Noether Symmetries

We study the energy content of colliding plane waves using approximate Noether symmetries. For this purpose, we use the approximate Lie symmetry method for Lagrangians for differential equations. We formulate the first-order perturbed Lagrangian for colliding plane electromagnetic and gravitational waves. In both cases, we show that no nontrivial first-order approximate symmetry generator exists.     

Elastic interaction between defects in thin and 2D films

Elastic interactions between defects is investigated at the surface of thin layers, a question on which we have given a brief account [P. Peyla et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 82, 787 (1999)]. Two isotropic defects do not interact in an unlimited medium, regardless of the spatial dimension, a result which can be shown on the basis of the Gauss theorem in electrostatics. Within isotropic elasticity theory, defects interact only (i) if they are, for example, at a surface (or at least if they feel a boundary), or if their action on the material is anisotropic (e.g. they create a non central force distribution, though the material elasticity is isotropic). It is known that two identical isotropic defects on the surface of a semi-infinite material repel each other. The repulsion law behaves as 1/r ³(r = defects separation). We first revisit the Lau-Kohn theory and extend it to anisotropic defects. Anisotropy is found to lead to attraction. We show that in thin films defects may either attract or repel each other depending on the local geometric force distribution caused by the defect. It is shown that the force distribution (or more precisely the forces configuration symmetry) fixes the exponent in the power law 1/r ⁿ (e.g. for a four-fold symmetry n = 4). We discuss the implication of this behaviour in various situations. We treat the interactions in terms of the symmetries associated with the defect. We argue that if the defects are isotropic, then their effective interaction in an unlimited 2D (or a thin film) medium arises from the induced interaction, which behaves as 1/r ⁴ for any defect symmetry. We shall also comment on the contribution to the interaction which arises from flexion of thin films. Received 7 October 2002 Published online 4 June 2003 RID="a" ID="a"e-mail: chaouqi.misbah@ujf-grenoble.fr     

Conserved Quantities and Conformal Mechanico-Electrical Systems

The conformal meehanico-electrical systems are presented by infinitesimal point transformations of time and generalized coordinates. The necessary and suflleient conditions that the eonformal meehanieo-eleetrieal systems possess Lie symmetry are given. The Noether conserved quantities of the eonformal meehanieo-eleetrieal systems are obtained from Lie symmetries.     

Lie Symmetries of Einstein’s Vacuum Equations in N Dimensions

Abstract

We investigate Lie symmetries of Einstein’s vacuum equations in N dimensions, with a cosmological term. For this purpose, we first write down the second prolongation of the symmetry generating vector fields, and compute its action on Einstein’s equations. Instead of setting to zero the coefficients of all independent partial derivatives (which involves a very complicated substitution of Einstein’s equations), we set to zero the coefficients of derivatives that do not appear in Einstein’s equations. This considerably constrains the coefficients of symmetry generating vector fields. Using the Lie algebra property of generators of symmetries and the fact that general coordinate transformations are symmetries of Einstein’s equations, we are then able to obtain all the Lie symmetries. The method we have used can likely be applied to other types of equations.     

Jacobi’s Last Multiplier and the Complete Symmetry Group of the Ermakov-Pinney Equation

Abstract

The Ermakov-Pinney equation possesses three Lie point symmetries with the algebra sl(2, R). This algebra does not provide a representation of the complete symmetry group of the Ermakov-Pinney equation. We show how the representation of the group can be obtained with the use of the method described in Nucci, J. Nonlin. Math. Phys. 12 (2005) (this issue), which is based on the properties of Jacobi’s last multiplier (Bianchi L, Lezioni sulla teoria dei gruppi continui finiti di trasformazioni, Enrico Spoerri, Pisa, 1918), the method of reduction of order (Nucci,J. Math. Phys 37 (1996), 1772–1775) and an interactive code for calculating symmetries (Nucci, Interactive REDUCE programs for calcuating classical, non-classical and Lie-Bäcklund symmetries for differential equations (preprint: Georgia Institute of Technology, Math 062090-051, 1990, and CRC Handbook of Lie Group Analysis of Differential Equations. Vol. 3: New Trends in Theoretical Developments and Computational Methods, Editor: Ibragimov N H, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1996, 415–481).     

Invariance Analysis of the (2+1) Dimensional Long Dispersive Wave Equation

Abstract

In this paper, we bring out the Lie symmetries and associated similarity reductions of the recently proposed (2+1) dimensional long dispersive wave equation. We point out that the integrable system admits an infinite-dimensional symmetry algebra along with Kac-Moody-Virasoro-type subalgebras. We also bring out certain physically interesting solutions.     

Lie symmetries and their local determinacy for a class of differential-difference equations

Differential-difference equations (DDEs) u_n^(k)(t) = F_n(t, u_n+a,…, u_n+b) for k ≥ 2 are studied for their differential Lie symmetries. We observe that while nonintrinsic Lie symmetries do exist in such DDEs, a great many admit only the intrinsic ones. We also propose a mechanism for automating symmetry calculations for fairly general DDEs, with a variety of features exemplified. In particular, the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam system is studied in detail and its new similarity solutions given explicitly.     

Operator-valued connections,Lie connections,and Gauge field theory

Noether's first theorem tells us that the global symmetry groupG _r of an action integral is a Lie group of point transformations that acts on the Cartesian product of the space-time manifold with the space of states and their derivatives. Gauge theory constructs are thus required for symmetry groups that act indiscriminately on the independent and dependent variables where the group structure can not necessarily be realized as a subgroup of the general linear group. Noting that the Lie algebra of a general symmetry groupG _r can be realized as a Lie algebrag _r of Lie derivatives on an appropriately structured manifold,G _r -covariant derivatives are introduced through study of connection 1-forms that take their values in the Lie algebrag _r of Lie derivatives (operator-valued connections). This leads to a general theory of operator-valued curvature 2-forms and to the important special class of Lie connections. The latter are naturally associated with the minimal replacement and minimal coupling constructs of gauge theory when the symmetry groupG _r is allowed to act locally. Lie connections give rise to the gauge fields that compensate for the local action ofG _r in a natural way. All governing field equations and their integrability conditions are derived for an arbitrary finite dimensional Lie group of symmetries. The case whereG _r contains the ten-parameter Poincaré group on a flat space-timeM ₄ is considered. The Lorentz structure ofM ₄ is shown to give a pseudo-Riemannian structure of signature 2 under the minimal replacement associated with the Lie connection of the local action of the Poincaré group. Field equations for the matter fields and the gauge fields are given for any system of matter fields whose action integral is invariant under the global action of the Poincaré group.     

The Lie symmetries and Noether conserved quantities of discrete mechanical systems with variable mass

This paper studies the Lie symmetries and Noether conserved quantities of discrete mechanical systems with variable mass. The discrete Euler-Lagrange equation and energy evolution equation are derived by using a total variational principle. The invariance of discrete equations under infinitesimal transformation groups is defined to be Lie symmetry. The condition of obtaining the Noether conserved quantities from the Lie symmetries is also presented. An example is discussed for applications of the results.     

均匀磁场中二维各向同性带电谐振子的守恒量与对称性研究

由牛顿第二定律得到二维各向同性带电谐振子在均匀磁场中运动的运动微分方程,通过对运动微分方程的直接积分得到系统的两个积分(守恒量).利用Legendre变换建立守恒量与Lagrange函数间的关系,从而求得系统的Lagrange函数,并讨论与守恒量相应的无限小变换的Noether对称性与Lie对称性,最后求得系统的运动学方程.