The methods of differential geometry have been so completely merged nowadays with physical concepts that general relativity may well be considered to be a physical theory of the geometrical properties of space-time. The general relativity principles together with the recent development of Finsler geometry as a metric generalization of Riemannian geometry justify the attempt to systematize the basic techniques for extending general relativity on the basis of Finsler geometry. It is this endeavour that forms the subject matter of the present book. Our exposition reveals the remarkable fact that the Finslerian approach is automatically permeated with the idea of the unification of the geometrical space-time picture with gauge field theory - a circumstance that we try our best to elucidate in this book. The book has been written in such a way that the reader acquainted with the methods of tensor calculus and linear algebra at the graduate level can use it as a manual of Finslerian techniques orientable to applications in several fields. The problems attached to the chapters are also intended to serve this purpose. This notwithstanding, whenever we touch upon the Finslerian refinement or generalization of physical concepts, we assume that the reader is acquainted with these concepts at least at the level of the standard textbooks, to which we refer him or her.

The methods of differential geometry have been so completely merged nowadays with physical concepts that general relativity may well be considered to be a physical theory of the geometrical properties of space-time. The general relativity principles together with the recent development of Finsler geometry as a metric generalization of Riemannian geometry justify the attempt to systematize the basic techniques for extending general relativity on the basis of Finsler geometry. It is this endeavour that forms the subject matter of the present book. Our exposition reveals the remarkable fact that the Finslerian approach is automatically permeated with the idea of the unification of the geometrical space-time picture with gauge field theory - a circumstance that we try our best to elucidate in this book. The book has been written in such a way that the reader acquainted with the methods of tensor calculus and linear algebra at the graduate level can use it as a manual of Finslerian techniques orientable to applications in several fields. The problems attached to the chapters are also intended to serve this purpose. This notwithstanding, whenever we touch upon the Finslerian refinement or generalization of physical concepts, we assume that the reader is acquainted with these concepts at least at the level of the standard textbooks, to which we refer him or her.

Differential-geometric methods are gaining increasing importance in the understanding of a wide range of fundamental natural phenomena. Very often, the starting point for such studies is a variational problem formulated for a convenient Lagrangian. From a formal point of view, a Lagrangian is a smooth real function defined on the total space of the tangent bundle to a manifold satisfying some regularity conditions. The main purpose of this book is to present: (a) an extensive discussion of the geometry of the total space of a vector bundle; (b) a detailed exposition of Lagrange geometry; and (c) a description of the most important applications. New methods are described for construction geometrical models for applications. The various chapters consider topics such as fibre and vector bundles, the Einstein equations, generalized Einstein--Yang--Mills equations, the geometry of the total space of a tangent bundle, Finsler and Lagrange spaces, relativistic geometrical optics, and the geometry of time-dependent Lagrangians. Prerequisites for using the book are a good foundation in general manifold theory and a general background in geometrical models in physics. For mathematical physicists and applied mathematicians interested in the theory and applications of differential-geometric methods.

This book begins with a new approach to the geometry of pseudo-Finsler manifolds. It also discusses the geometry of pseudo-Finsler manifolds and presents a comparison between the induced and the intrinsic Finsler connections. The Cartan, Berwald, and Rund connections are all investigated. Included also is the study of totally geodesic and other special submanifolds such as curves, surfaces, and hypersurfaces. Audience: The book will be of interest to researchers working on pseudo-Finsler geometry in general, and on pseudo-Finsler submanifolds in particular.

This book is the first to present an overview of higher-order Hamilton geometry with applications to higher-order Hamiltonian mechanics. It is a direct continuation of the book The Geometry of Hamilton and Lagrange Spaces, (Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2001). It contains the general theory of higher order Hamilton spaces H(k)n, k>=1, semisprays, the canonical nonlinear connection, the N-linear metrical connection and their structure equations, and the Riemannian almost contact metrical model of these spaces. In addition, the volume also describes new developments such as variational principles for higher order Hamiltonians; Hamilton-Jacobi equations; higher order energies and law of conservation; Noether symmetries; Hamilton subspaces of order k and their fundamental equations. The duality, via Legendre transformation, between Hamilton spaces of order k and Lagrange spaces of the same order is pointed out. Also, the geometry of Cartan spaces of order k =1 is investigated in detail. This theory is useful in the construction of geometrical models in theoretical physics, mechanics, dynamical systems, optimal control, biology, economy etc.

The proceedings consists of lectures and selected original research papers presented at the conference. The contents is divided into 3 parts: I. Geometric structures, II. the calculus of variations on manifolds, III. Geometric methods in physics. The volume also covers interdisciplinary areas between differential geometry and mathematical physics like field theory, relativity, classical and quantum mechanics.