The modem theory of solitons was born in 1967 when Gardner, Greene, Kruskal and Miura related the solution of the Cauchy initial value problem for the Korteweg-de Vries equation to the inverse scattering problem for a one dimensional linear Schrödinger equation. Soliton theory is now a large part of theoretical and mathematical physics. An important method used to solve related equations is based on the Inverse Scattering Transform (IST). This IST method has been extended and applied to a large variety of (analytically) solvable non linear evolution equations, including many important examples describing phe nomena in nonlinear optics, solid state physics, hydrodynamics, theory of general relativity, plasma physics, etc. In the about twenty years of development the necessary mathematical tools have become rather sophisticated. They include the methods of algebraic geome try, the machinery of group representations, the theory of the local and nonlocal Riemann-Hilbert problem and many other "higher" levels of contemporary math ematics.

This book gives an overview of the theoretical research on rogue waves and discusses solutions to rogue wave formation via the Darboux and bilinear transformations, algebro-geometric reduction, and inverse scattering and similarity transformations. Studies on nonlinear optics are included, making the book a comprehensive reference for researchers in applied mathematics, optical physics, geophysics, and ocean engineering. Contents The Research Process for Rogue Waves Construction of Rogue Wave Solution by the Generalized Darboux Transformation Construction of Rogue Wave Solution by Hirota Bilinear Method, Algebro-geometric Approach and Inverse Scattering Method The Rogue Wave Solution and Parameters Managing in Nonautonomous Physical Model

The outcome of a conference held in East Carolina University in June 1982, this book provides an account of developments in the theory and application of nonlinear waves in both fluids and plasmas. Twenty-two contributors from eight countries here cover all the main fields of research, including nonlinear water waves, K-dV equations, solitions and inverse scattering transforms, stability of solitary waves, resonant wave interactions, nonlinear evolution equations, nonlinear wave phenomena in plasmas, recurrence phenomena in nonlinear wave systems, and the structure and dynamics of envelope solitions in plasmas.

“It came from nowhere, snapping giant ships in two. No one believed the survivors . . . until now” —New Scientist magazine cover, June 30, 2001 Rogue waves are the focus of this book. They are among the waves naturally - served by people on the sea surface that represent an inseparable feature of the Ocean. Rogue waves appear from nowhere, cause danger, and disappear at once. They may occur on the surface of a relatively calm sea and not reach very high amplitudes, but still be fatal for ships and crew due to their unexpectedness and abnormal features. Seamen are known to be unsurpassed authors of exciting and horrifying stories about the sea and sea waves. This could explain why, despite the increasing number of documented cases, that sailors’ observations of “walls of - ter” have been considered ctitious for a while. These stories are now addressed again due to the amount of doubtless evidence of the existence of the phenomenon, but still without suf cient information to - able interested researchers and engineers to completely understand it. The billows appear suddenly, exceeding the surrounding waves by two times their size and more, and obtaining many names: abnormal, exceptional, extreme, giant, huge, s- den, episodic, freak, monster, rogue, vicious, killer, mad- or rabid-dog waves, cape rollers, holes in the sea, walls of water, three sisters, etc.

Nonlinear problems, originating from applied science that is closely related to practices, contain rich and extensive content. It makes the corresponding nonlinear models also complex and diverse. Due to the intricacy and contingency of nonlinear problems, unified mathematical methods still remain far and few between. In this regard, the comprehensive use of symmetric methods, along with other mathematical methods, becomes an effective option to solve nonlinear problems.

Soliton theory is an important branch of applied mathematics and mathematical physics. An active and productive field of research, it has important applications in fluid mechanics, nonlinear optics, classical and quantum fields theories etc. This book presents a broad view of soliton theory. It gives an expository survey of the most basic ideas and methods, such as physical background, inverse scattering, Backlünd transformations, finite-dimensional completely integrable systems, symmetry, Kac-moody algebra, solitons and differential geometry, numerical analysis for nonlinear waves, and gravitational solitons. Besides the essential points of the theory, several applications are sketched and some recent developments, partly by the authors and their collaborators, are presented.