Overview

Harmonic maps are generalisations of the concept of geodesics. They encompass many fundamental examples in differential geometry and have recently become of widespread use in many areas of mathematics and mathematical physics. This is an accessible introduction to some of the fundamental connections between differential geometry, Lie groups, and integrable Hamiltonian systems. The specific goal of the book is to show how the theory of loop groups can be used to study harmonic maps. By concentrating on the main ideas and examples, the author leads up to topics of current research. The book is suitable for students who are beginning to study manifolds and Lie groups, and should be of interest both to mathematicians and to theoretical physicists.

Full Product Details

Author:   Martin A. Guest (Tokyo Metropolitan University)
Publisher:   Cambridge University Press
Imprint:   Cambridge University Press (Virtual Publishing)
Volume:   38
ISBN:  

9781139174848

ISBN 10:   1139174843
Publication Date:   05 June 2012
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Undefined
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In stock  
We have confirmation that this item is in stock with the supplier. It will be ordered in for you and dispatched immediately.

Table of Contents

Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I. One-Dimensional Integrable Systems: 1. Lie groups; 2. Lie algebras; 3. Factorizations and homogeneous spaces; 4. Hamilton's equations and Hamiltonian systems; 5. Lax equations; 6. Adler-Kostant-Symes; 7. Adler-Kostant-Symes (continued); 8. Concluding remarks on one-dimensional Lax equations; Part II. Two-Dimensional Integrable Systems: 9. Zero-curvature equations; 10. Some solutions of zero-curvature equations; 11. Loop groups and loop algebras; 12. Factorizations and homogeneous spaces; 13. The two-dimensional Toda lattice; 14. T-functions and the Bruhat decomposition; 15. Solutions of the two-dimensional Toda lattice; 16. Harmonic maps from C to a Lie group G; 17. Harmonic maps from C to a Lie group (continued); 18. Harmonic maps from C to a symmetric space; 19. Harmonic maps from C to a symmetric space (continued); 20. Application: harmonic maps from S2 to CPn; 21. Primitive maps; 22. Weierstrass formulae for harmonic maps; Part III. One-Dimensional and Two-Dimensional Integrable Systems: 23. From 2 Lax equations to 1 zero-curvature equation; 24. Harmonic maps of finite type; 25. Application: harmonic maps from T2 to S2; 26. Epilogue; References; Index.

Reviews

'... an accessible introduction to some of the fundamental connections beween differental geometry, Lie groups and integrable Hamiltonian systems.' L'Enseignement Mathematique 'It is very rare to find a book that can take a student from the very basics of a subject to the frontiers of active research. The author is to be congratulated on having produced just such a rarity!' Bulletin of the London Mathematics Society 'The book will certainly be appreciated by mathematicians as well as theoretical physics interested in the subject.' European Mathematical Society

'... an accessible introduction to some of the fundamental connections beween differental geometry, Lie groups and integrable Hamiltonian systems.' L'Enseignement Mathematique 'It is very rare to find a book that can take a student from the very basics of a subject to the frontiers of active research. The author is to be congratulated on having produced just such a rarity!' Bulletin of the London Mathematics Society 'The book will certainly be appreciated by mathematicians as well as theoretical physics interested in the subject.' European Mathematical Society This is an accessible and very interesting text... Monashefte fur Mathematik This is an accessible and very interesting text... Monashefte fur Mathematik ...a very well written, easily accessible introduction to how loop group techniques are used in the description of harmonic maps from Riemann surfaces to compact Lie groups and compant symmetric spaces...The book presents in a unifying way a very nice introduction to a new part of harmonice map theory, is easily accessible, fun to read and has a modest price. It is an ideal text for a beginning graduate student and any newcomer to the field. Bulletin of the American Mathematical Society

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions