Abstract
In this paper, we derive an explicit group-invariant formula for the Euler–Lagrange equations associated with an invariant variational problem. The method relies on a group-invariant version of the variational bicomplex induced by a general equivariant moving frame construction, and is of independent interest.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson, I. M.: Introduction to the variational bicomplex, Contemp. Math. 13 (1992), 51–73.
Anderson, I. M.: The Vessiot handbook, Technical Report, Utah Sate University, 2000.
Anderson, I. M.: The variational bicomplex, Utah State Technical Report, 1989.
Anderson, I. M. and Fels, M.: Symmetry reduction of variational bicomplexes and the principle of symmetric criticality, Amer. J. Math. 11 (1997), 609–670.
Anderson, I. M. and Pohjanpelto, J.: The cohomology of invariant of variational bicomplexes, Acta Appl. Math. 4 (1995), 3–19.
Bryant, R. L.: A duality theorem for Willmore surfaces, J. Differential Geom. 2 (1984), 23–53.
Carathéodory, C.: —Ñber die Variationsrechnung bei mehrfachen Integralen, Acta Sci. Mat. (Szeged) (1929), 193–216.
Cartan, É.: —La méthode du repère mobile, la théorie des groupes continus, et les espaces generalizes, Exposés de Géométrie No. 5, Hermann, Paris, 1935.
Dedecker, P.: Calcul des variations et topologie algébrique, Mém. Soc. Roy. Sci. Liège 19 (1957), 1–216.
De Donder, T.: Théorie invariantive du calcul de variations, Gauthier-Villars, Paris, 1935.
Eisenhart, L. P.: A Treatise on the Differential Geometry of Curves and Surfaces, Ginn, Boston, 1909.
Euler, L.: Methodus Inveniendi Lineas Curvus(Lausanne, 1744), Opera Omnia, Ser.1, 24, Füssli, Zurich, 1960.
Fels, M. and Olver, P. J.: On relative invariants, Math. Ann. 30 (1997), 701–732.
Fels, M. and Olver, P. J.: Moving coframes. I. A practical algorithm, Acta Appl. Math. 51 (1998), 161–213.
Fels, M. and Olver, P. J.: Moving coframes. II. Regularization and theoretical foundations, Acta Appl. Math. 5 (1999), 127–208.
Fushchich, W. I. and Yegorchenko, I. A.: Second-order differential invariants of the rotation group On and of its extensions: E(n), P(1 n), G(1 n), Acta Appl. Math. 2 (1992), 69–92.
Griffiths, P. A.: On Cartan's method of Lie groups and moving frames as applied to uniqueness and existence questions in differential geometry, Duke Math. J. 4 (1974), 775–814.
Griffiths, P. A.: Exterior Differential Systems and the Calculus of Variations, Progr. in Math. 25, Birkhäuser, Boston, 1983.
Guggenheimer, H. W.: Differential Geometry, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1963.
Itskov, V.: Orbit reduction of exterior differential systems and group-invariant variational problems, Contemp. Math. 28 (2001), 171–181.
Itskov, V.: Orbit reduction of exterior differential systems, PhD Thesis, University of Minnesota, 2002.
Jensen, G. R.: Higher Order Contact of Submanifolds of Homogeneous Spaces, Lecture Notes in Math. 610, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1977.
Kamke, E.: Differentialgleichungen Lösungsmethoden und Lösungen, Vol.1, Chelsea, New York, 1971.
Lie, S.: Ñber Integralinvarianten und ihre Verwertung für die Theorie der Differentialgleichun-gen, Leipz. Berichte 4 (1897), 369–410; also Gesammelte Abhandlungen 6, B.G. Teubner, Leipzig, 1927, pp. 664–701.
Mackenzie, K.: Lie Groupoids and Lie Algebroids in Differential Geometry, London Math. Soc. Lecture Notes Ser. 124, Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, 1987.
Mumford, D.: Elastica and computer vision, In: C. Bajaj (ed.), Algebraic Geometry and its Applications, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1994, pp. 491–506.
Olver, P. J.: Applications of Lie Groups to Differential Equations, 2nd edn, Grad. Texts in Math. 107, Springer-Verlag, New York, 1993.
Olver, P. J.: Equivalence and the Cartan form, Acta Appl. Math. 3 (1993), 99–136.
Olver, P. J.: Equivalence, Invariants, and Symmetry, Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, 1995.
Olver, P. J.: Moving frames and singularities of prolonged group actions, Selecta Math. 6 (2000), 41–77.
Olver, P. J.: Joint invariant signatures, Found. Comput. Math. (2001), 3–67.
Olver, P. J. and Pohjanpelto, J.: Moving frames for pseudo-groups. I. The Maurer-Cartan forms, Preprint, Univ. of Minnesota, 2002.
Olver, P. J. and Pohjanpelto, J.: Moving frames for pseudo-groups. II. Differential invariants for submanifolds, Preprint, Univ. of Minnesota, 2002.
Rund, H.: The Hamilton-Jacobi Theory in the Calculus of Variations,D.VanNostrand, Princeton, NJ, 1966.
Tsujishita, T.: On variational bicomplexes associated to differential equations, Osaka J. Math. 1 (1982), 311–363.
Tulczyjew, W. M.: The Lagrange complex, Bull. Soc. Math. France 105 (1977), 419–431.
Vinogradov, A. M.: The C-spectral sequence, Lagrangian formalism and conservation laws. I. The linear theory, J. Math. Anal. Appl. 10 (1984), 1–40.
Vinogradov, A. M.: The C-spectral sequence, Lagrangian formalism and conservation laws. II. The nonlinear theory, J. Math. Anal. Appl. 10 (1984), 41–129.
Vinogradov, A. M. and Krasil'shchik, I. S. (eds): Symmetries and Conservation Laws for Differential Equations of Mathematical Physics, Amer. Math. Soc., Providence, RI, 1998.
Zharinov, V. V.: Geometrical Aspects of Partial Differential Equations, World Scientific, Singapore, 1992.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kogan, I.A., Olver, P.J. Invariant Euler–Lagrange Equations and the Invariant Variational Bicomplex. Acta Applicandae Mathematicae 76, 137–193 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022993616247
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022993616247