Abstract
We propose a rigorous definition of the generalized infinitesimal symmetries using the notion of k-vector fields, and we derive an algorithm for their determination. We show that Bäcklund transformations between evolution equations are differential operators having prescribed symmetries.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
LieS., Gesammelte Abhandlungen, B.G. Teubner, Leipzig, 1922, Vol. 3, p. 177.
OvsjannikovL.V., ‘Group Properties of Differential Equations’, Siberian Sect. Acad. Sc. U.S.S.R., Novosibirsk, 1962 (unpublished translation by G.W. Bluman).
BlumanG.W., and ColeJ.D., Similarity Methods for Differential Equations, Appl. Math. Sc. 13, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1974.
AndersonR.L., KumeiS., and WulfmanC.E., Phys. Rev. Lett. 28, 988 (1972).
PalaisR.S., Foundations of Global Nonlinear Analysis, Benjamin, New York, 1968.
Kosmann-Schwarzbach, Y., C.R. Acad. Sc. Paris 287, A953 (1978).
JohnsonH.H., Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 15, 432 and 675 (1964).
Kosmann-Schwarzbach, Y., Proceedings of the Conference on Geometry and Differential Geometry-Haifa, 1979, Lecture Notes in Math., Springer-Verlag, New York (to appear).
PalaisR.S., Actes Congrès Int. Math. (Nice, 1970), Gauthier-Villars, Paris, 1971, v. 2, p. 243.
KumeiS., J. Math. Phys. 16, 2461 (1975).
Olver, P.J., ‘Symmetry Groups and Conservation Laws’, (to appear).
IbragimovN.H., and AndersonR.L., J. Math. Anal. Appl. 59, 145 (1977).
AndersonR.L., and IbragimovN.H., Lie-Bäcklund Transformations in Applications, SIAM Studies Appl. Math. 1, SIAM, Philadelphia, 1979.
OlverP.J., J. Math. Phys. 18, 1212 (1977).
MillerW.Jr., Symmetry and Separation of Variables, Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass., 1977.
KumeiS., J. Math. Phys. 18, 256 (1977).
FokasA.S., and AndersonR.L., Lett. Math. Phys. 3, 117 (1979).
Pirani, F.A.E., Robinson, D.C. and Shadwick, W.F., ‘Local Jet Bundle Formulation of Bäcklund Transformations’, Mathematical Physics Studies, Vol. 1, D. Reidel Publishing Co., (to be published).
WahlquistH.D., and EstabrookF.B., J. Math. Phys. 16, 1 (1975).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kosmann-Schwarzbach, Y. Generalized symmetries of nonlinear partial differential equations. Lett Math Phys 3, 395–404 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397213
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00397213