Questions tagged [hamiltonian-mechanics]

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6 votes
1 answer
254 views

From time-dependent Hamiltonians to time-dependent symplectic/Poisson structures

Let $(M,\{.,.\})$ be a smooth Poisson manifold, and let $H\in C^\infty(M\times\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R})$. Question: Does there exist $H_0\in C^\infty(M,\mathbb{R})$ and smooth parameter-dependent Poisson ...
1 vote
0 answers
94 views

Stability of rigid bodies spinning around $z$-axis under gravity

Consider the problem of a rigid body rotating in 3D space under gravity with one point fixed. I am particularly curious about the equilibrium state where the body is spinning at a constant angular ...
2 votes
0 answers
136 views

Spectrum of an almost Hamiltonian matrix

I have a complex-valued block matrix $N=\begin{bmatrix} A & B \\ C & -A^* \end{bmatrix}$, where $A$ is diagonal, $B=B^*$, and $C$ is rank-1 but not Hermitian. If $C$ were Hermitian, $N$ would ...
0 votes
1 answer
225 views

How to express the Euler-Lagrange equation in arbitrary coordinates where $\omega \neq \sum dp_i \wedge dq_i$

I posted my questions in a previous post MO, but it seems that a more refined version for question on the Euler-Lagrange equation is needed. So, I post my question again. In standard symplectic ...
0 votes
0 answers
49 views

How to prove a solution to Hamilton's equations on the tangent bundle is second order?

Let $Q$ be a manifold Let $q^\alpha$ for $\alpha \in 1 .. n$ be a chart of $Q$. The tangent bundle $TQ$ has a chart $q^\alpha, \dot{q}^\alpha$. It has an almost-tangent structure: $$ J = dq^\alpha ...
0 votes
1 answer
105 views

How does the symplectic form $\omega$ manifests itself in the Euler-Lagrange equation? + Extreme confusion with time

Let $\omega$ be a symplectic manifold on $\mathbb{R}^n$ and the smooth function $H : \mathbb{R}^n \times \mathbb{R}^n \to \mathbb{R}$ be a Hamiltonian. For $p,q \in \mathbb{R}^n$ let us assume that \...
1 vote
0 answers
39 views

The boundedness of dynamical systems discretized from Hamiltonian systems

Let $H(p,q) = T(q) + U(p)$ be a Hamiltonian function that defines a Hamiltonian system, i.e., \begin{align} &\frac{dp}{dt} = \frac{\partial H}{\partial q}(p,q) = \frac{dT}{dq},\\ &\frac{dq}{dt}...
0 votes
0 answers
80 views

Numerical detection of Cantori

It is known that as parameters vary in Hamiltonian system, KAM tori can break [1,2]. How to construct numerically the breaking tori? The most relevant paper that I could find is [3,4]. But it uses ...
3 votes
1 answer
410 views

Integrability of Schroedinger's equation

Consider the periodic nonlinear Schrödinger equation $$-i \partial_t u + \Delta u = f(|u|)u, \qquad u=u(t,x) \in \mathbb{C}, \; t\in \mathbb{R}, \; x\in \mathbb{T}^n,$$ where $\mathbb{T}:= \mathbb{R}/\...
6 votes
0 answers
457 views

An algebraic Hamiltonian vector field with a finite number of periodic orbits (2)

Is there a polynomial Hamiltonian $H:\mathbb{R}^{4}\to \mathbb{R}$ such that the number of nontrivial periodic orbits of the corresponding Hamiltonian vector field $X_{H}$ is finite but different ...
4 votes
1 answer
223 views

Dynamical analogue of Morse theory

Is there a Hamiltonian $H:\mathbb{R}^{2n} \to \mathbb{R}$ with the following property: For two regular values $a<b$ for which $[a,b]$ consists of regular values, the dynamics of $X_H$ on $H^{...
1 vote
0 answers
56 views

Poisson bracket on $T^*T\mathrm{SU}(1,1)$

Consider the cotangent bundle of the tangent bundle $T^*TG$ of a Lie group $G$. Denote its the Lie algebra by $\mathfrak{g}$. By left translations, we have the trivialization $T^*G \cong G \times \...
2 votes
0 answers
93 views

Persistence of KAM tori as a function of dimension

I have tried posting this question in MSE, but I think it might be too technical so I'm trying again here. In KAM theory one tries to describe the persistence of quasi-periodic motion when an ...
1 vote
1 answer
83 views

Why is this Hamiltonian flow of the Vlasov equation well defined?

Lions and Paul claim in their 1993 paper "Sur les mesures de Wigner" that the Hamiltonian flow $$\dot{x} = \xi, \quad \dot{\xi} = - \nabla V(x) $$ of the Vlasov equation $$\partial_t f + \xi ...
1 vote
0 answers
122 views

Integral expression for the Poisson bracket

I already asked this in the physics forum but without much attention, so I thought it might attract more attention here. Is there an integral expression for the Poisson bracket that can be derived ...
2 votes
0 answers
42 views

Symplectic (or alike) integrator for system with Coulomb singularity and time-dependent potentials

I am trying to calculate classical trajectories for a single a ion and a single electron inside an RF trap. Therefore, I am dealing with a two-body system that possesses: Coulomb potential with a ...
0 votes
1 answer
73 views

Hamiltonian particle system and its frequency domain

I am interested in the following question. So let suppose we have finite number of point particles on plane $\mathbb{R}^2$. We can assume that every $j$ point is represented by Dirac delta function $\...
2 votes
1 answer
211 views

Gradient descent relaxation dynamics of a Euler-Lagrange equation

I want to minimize the functional $$ F=\int{L(u)}dx, $$ where $L= u_x^2-u^2$ is the Lagrangian function of the functional. Even if its Euler-Lagrange equation is easily found and solved, I want to try ...
3 votes
1 answer
618 views

Perturbed vs. unperturbed Hamiltonian system

Let's take a time-periodic Hamiltonian $H(t,x,y)$ on $\mathbb{R}^2$ and apply an arbitrarily small time-independent perturbation to $H$ via $$ \tilde H (t,x,y) = H(t,x,y) + \epsilon V(x,y), $$ where $...
2 votes
2 answers
161 views

What is the motivation of contact Hamiltonian equation

I've just checked that this is constructed to mimic the ordinary Hamiltonian equation in symplectic geometry. There are several literatures, and they use $$ \eta(X_H) = -H\\ \mathrm{d}\eta(X_H,-) = \...
3 votes
1 answer
185 views

Uniform continuity of Hamiltonian flow

Let $h \in C^2_{\mathrm{ub}}(\mathbb{R}^{2n})$, where $C_{\mathrm{ub}}^k$ consists of $C^k$-functions that are bounded and uniformly continuous along with their derivatives up to $k$th-order. It is ...
1 vote
0 answers
59 views

In the context of field-theoretic classical Lagrangian mechanics, can we choose the Lagrange multipliers to be time-independent? - from Physics SE

I originally posted this question on Physics SE, but I think it is more like a math question since I need rigorous justification. Could anyone please provide any insight to the below question: Let us ...
6 votes
2 answers
3k views

Poincaré recurrence and its implications for statistical physics and the arrow of time

A very important theorem in mathematical physics is Poincaré’s recurrence theorem. As you recall, this theorem states that given a dynamical system $(M , \phi , \mu)$ with $ \mu M < +\infty$, for ...
3 votes
2 answers
292 views

Hamiltonian, energy, and conservation laws of nonlinear PDEs

In many PDEs, I see the papers mention the energy of the PDE. And some papers and books mention Hamiltonians. I know that integrable systems have infinitely many conservation laws and these laws are ...
5 votes
0 answers
112 views

Lie groupoids as symmetries of mechanical systems?

Lie groups are well studied as symmetries of mechanical systems in symplectic/Poisson geometry. For instance, if $G$ acts freely and properly on a mechanical system modeled by a symplectic manifold $(...
2 votes
1 answer
96 views

On the existence of regular orbit cylinders

Let $(M,\omega,H)$ be a Hamiltonian system and assume that $\gamma$ is a periodic orbit on a regular energy hypersurface. Then the regular orbit cylinder theorem (see for example Abraham/Marsden: ...
2 votes
1 answer
341 views

algebraic momentum map

Let $T$ be a linear algebraic torus over $\mathbb C$ and $X$ be a smooth quasi-projective symplectic $T$-variety. Also, assume that the action of $T $ is free and $X/T$ exists as a smooth variety. Is ...
9 votes
3 answers
373 views

Mechanical systems with their configuration space being a Lie group

Cross-posted from Physics.SE In Marsden, Ratiu - Introduction To Mechanics And Symmetry there is a certain focus on reducing cotangent bundles of Lie groups. More precisely, if $G$ is a Lie group, ...
0 votes
1 answer
210 views

Hamilton equations-Symplectic scheme [closed]

We know that $\dot{q} = \frac{\partial H}{\partial p}$ and $\dot{p} = -\frac{\partial H}{\partial q}$, and we also know the values $Q$ and $P$ respectively of $q$ and $p$ at a later time step $\Delta ...
3 votes
1 answer
609 views

Hamilton equations for Classical Field Theory

This is a second part of my previous question. I'm trying to figure it out by myself how to deduce Hamilton's equations in classical field theory as it is usually obtained in physics books. Notation: ...
3 votes
4 answers
954 views

Applications of Hamiltonian formalism to classical mechanics

In many courses in theoretical classical mechanics Hamiltonian formalism takes an important place. However I did not see it applied to problems of classical mechanics (unless one expands the scope of ...
3 votes
0 answers
141 views

Is composition of discrete Hamiltonian flows integrable?

Consider $\Bbb{R}^2$ with the usual symplectic form $$\omega = dx \wedge dy$$ For a function $H \colon \Bbb{R}^2 \to \Bbb{R}$, let $X_H$ be the Hamiltonian vector field. Then the map $\Bbb{R}^2 \to \...
11 votes
0 answers
222 views

Mathematical pendulum and $\mathbb C P^n$

I am very puzzled by the following remark on p.346 in Arnold's book "Mathematical methods of classical mechanics": Another method of construction the same symplectic structure on complex ...
6 votes
0 answers
496 views

Hamiltonian dynamics on cotangent bundle

I'm stuck with the following claim made in Section 13.1 of Y-G. Oh's book "Symplectic topology and Floer homology". Assume that $N$ is a differential manifold and $S_0 ,S_1\subseteq N$ two ...
1 vote
0 answers
73 views

What exactly are the benefits of keeping a Hamiltonian system of equations Hamiltonian during solving or transformation?

When faced with a system of differential equations that happens to be Hamiltonian in form, or a perturbation of a Hamiltonian system, we often see in classical work a clear attempt to pursue solutions ...
4 votes
0 answers
139 views

Existence results for Lagrangian solutions to the Incompressible Euler Equation?

It is known that if a function (which we shall call the lagrangian flow, or lagrangian trajectory) $$X:(\mathbb{R}/\mathbb{Z})^3 \times [0,T] \to \mathbb{R}^3$$ with $X \in H^1_t$ (i.e. has weak time ...
2 votes
0 answers
120 views

Is there a notion of symplectic maps between spaces of volume forms on phase spaces?

For a $n$ dimensional smooth manifold $M$, I consider the cotangent bundle $T^*M$ with the canonical symplectic form $\omega$. A symplectic map $\phi : T^*M \to T^* M$ is a map which leaves the ...
3 votes
1 answer
190 views

Exact solution to a periodic linear ODE sought

We have been studying a Hamiltonian system that possesses a one-parameter family of periodic orbits, depending on the energy level $h$. We "know" via various non-rigorous means that these ...
6 votes
0 answers
289 views

A question in elementary differential geometry

Let $M$ be a finite dimensional manifold of constant curvature $\kappa$. Consider a solution of the Hamilton--Jacobi equation $$ \partial_t u + |\nabla u|^2 = 0. $$ Can we give a precise estimate of a ...
4 votes
0 answers
136 views

Geometrical proof of Noether Theorem [duplicate]

I am reading a very nice Physics book "The standard model in a nutshell" by D.Goldberg and just read there a mention to Noether Theorem. Of course I knew this outstanding theorem very well from ...
1 vote
1 answer
104 views

Invertibility of the characteristic flow in Hamilton-Jacobi equations

We are in the context of Hamilton Jacobi equations, in particular I was reading the characteristic method. We want to solve the problem of the special form (Hamiltonian only depending on the "$p$" ...
3 votes
0 answers
67 views

Infinitesimal orbit type decomposition of Hamiltonian $G$-manifolds

Let $G$ be a compact connected Lie group acting in a Hamiltonian fashion on a symplectic manifold $M$ with momentum map $\mu:M\to \mathfrak{g}^\ast$, where $\mathfrak{g}$ is the Lie algebra of $G$. ...
2 votes
0 answers
212 views

Asymptotic of an integral

Let \begin{equation*} V(x) = -\big(2-\sin(2\pi x) - \sin(2\pi \sqrt{2}x)\big)^\gamma \end{equation*} for some $\gamma \in (0,1]$. Define for each $r<0$ the number $$a_r = \min\{a>0: V(a) = ...
6 votes
0 answers
311 views

Why does the Lax pair formalism look so similar to the Hamiltonian equations, and what is the significance of this?

If we have a Lax pair for a system, which we'll call operators $L$ and $B$, then the system \begin{align*}L\psi&=\lambda\psi\\ \psi_t&=B\psi\end{align*} has as its integrability condition ...
49 votes
5 answers
4k views

are there natural examples of classical mechanics that happens on a symplectic manifold that isn't a cotangent bundle?

I'm curious about just how far the abstraction to a symplectic formalism can be justified by appeal to actual physical examples. There's good motivation, for example, for working over an arbitrary ...
100 votes
5 answers
11k views

Is there a high level reason why the inverse square law of gravitation yields periodic orbits without precession?

Given a spherically symmetric potential $V: {\bf R}^d \to {\bf R}$, smooth away from the origin, one can consider the Newtonian equations of motion $$ \frac{d^2}{dt^2} x = - (\nabla V)(x)$$ for a ...
2 votes
0 answers
190 views

How to check conditions for Liouville-Arnold theorem? [closed]

Arnold gives in his book "Mathematical Methods of Classical Mechanics" on p.272 the following, well known theorem: Let $F_1, \dots, F_n$ be $n$ functions in involution on a symplectic $2n$-...
1 vote
0 answers
64 views

Reduced master equation for a multistable Hamiltonian dynamical system

I am looking for rigorous results on the derivation of a reduced master equation for a (possibly stochastic) Hamiltonian dynamical system with a coercive potential energy term with multiple local ...
1 vote
1 answer
304 views

Global reduction of Hamiltonian with an integral of motion (Poincare' reduction)

This question is related to a previous one; now I better understand the problem and I can more clearly state what is the question. Background I refer to the following concepts: Liouville ...
7 votes
2 answers
1k views

Practical example of Hamiltonian reduction

I know what is the Liouville integrability: given a Hamiltonian with $n$ degrees of freedom, with $n$ independent constants of motion in involution, the Hamiltonian can be brought to the form $H(p_1, \...