This book contains the first systematic exposition of the global and local theory of dynamics equivariant with respect to a (compact) Lie group. Aside from general genericity and normal form theorems on equivariant bifurcation, it describes many general families of examples of equivariant bifurcation and includes a number of novel geometric techniques, in particular, equivariant transversality. This important book forms a theoretical basis of future work on equivariant reversible and Hamiltonian systems.This book also provides a general and comprehensive introduction to codimension one equivariant bifurcation theory. In particular, it includes the bifurcation theory developed with Roger Richardson on subgroups of reflection groups and the Maximal Isotropy Subgroup Conjecture. A number of general results are also given on the global theory. Introductory material on groups, representations and G-manifolds are covered in the first three chapters of the book. In addition, a self-contained introduction of equivariant transversality is given, including necessary results on stratifications as well as results on equivariant jet transversality developed by Edward Bierstone.

Whenever systems are governed by continuous chains of causes and effects, their behavior exhibits the consequences of dynamical symmetries, many of them far from obvious. Dynamical Symmetry introduces the reader to Sophus Lie's discoveries of the connections between differential equations and continuous groups that underlie this observation. It develops and applies the mathematical relations between dynamics and geometry that result. Systematic methods for uncovering dynamical symmetries are described, and put to use. Much material in the book is new and some has only recently appeared in research journals. Though Lie groups play a key role in elementary particle physics, their connection with differential equations is more often exploited in applied mathematics and engineering. Dynamical Symmetry bridges this gap in a novel manner designed to help readers establish new connections in their own areas of interest. Emphasis is placed on applications to physics and chemistry. Applications to many of the other sciences illustrate both general principles and the ubiquitousness of dynamical symmetries.

has been in the of a Symmetry major ingredient development quantum perturba tion and it is a basic of the of theory, ingredient theory integrable (Hamiltonian and of the the use in context of non Hamiltonian) systems; yet, symmetry gen eral is rather recent. From the of view of nonlinear perturbation theory point the use of has become dynamics, widespread only through equivariant symmetry bifurcation in this attention has been confined to linear even theory; case, mostly symmetries. in recent the and of methods for dif Also, theory practice symmetry years ferential has become and has been to a equations increasingly popular applied of the of the book Olver This by variety problems (following appearance [2621). with is and deals of nature theory deeply geometrical symmetries general (pro vided that described i.e. in this context there is are vector no they by fields), to limit attention to linear reason symmetries. In this look the basic tools of i.e. normal book we at perturbation theory, introduced Poincar6 about and their inter a forms (first by century ago) study action with with no limitation to linear ones. We focus on the most symmetries, basic fixed the and i.e. a setting, systems having point (at origin) perturbative around thus is local.

A graduate level text based partly on lectures in geometry, mechanics, and symmetry given at Imperial College London, this book links traditional classical mechanics texts and advanced modern mathematical treatments of the subject.

Topological defects formed at symmetry-breaking phase transitions play an important role in many different fields of physics. They appear in many condensed-matter systems at low temperature; examples include vortices in superfluid helium-4, a rich variety of defects in helium-3, quantized mag netic flux tubes in type-II superconductors, and disclination lines and other defects in liquid crystals. In cosmology, unified gauge theories of particle interactions suggest a sequence of phase transitions in the very early uni verse some of which may lead to defect formation. In astrophysics, defects play an important role in the dynamics of neutron stars. In 1997 the European Science Foundation started the scientific network "Topological defects" headed by Tom Kibble. This network has provided us with a unique opportunity of establishing a collaboration between the representatives of these very different branches of modern physics. The NATO-ASI (Advanced Study Institute), held in Les Houches in February 1999 thanks to the support of the Scientific Division of NATO, the European Science Foundation and the CNRS, represents a key event of this ESF network. It brought together participants from widely different fields, with diverse expertise and vocabulary, fostering the exchange of ideas. The lectures given by particle physicists, cosmologists and condensed matter physicists are the result of the fruitful collaborations established since 1997 between groups in several European countries and in the U.S.A.

This book is an expanded version of a Master Class on the symmetric bifurcation theory of differential equations given by the author at the University of Twente in 1995. The notes cover a wide range of recent results in the subject, and focus on the dynamics that can appear in the generic bifurcation theory of symmetric differential equations. Many of the results and examples in the book are new and have not been previously published. The first four chapters contain an accessible presentation of the fundamental work by Field and Richardson on symmetry breaking and the Maximal Isotropy Subgroup Conjecture. The remainder of the book focuses on recent research of the author and includes chapters on the invariant sphere theorem, coupled cell systems, heteroclinic cycles , equivariant transversality, and an Appendix (with Xiaolin Peng) giving a new low dimensional counterexample to the converse of the Maximal Isotropy Subgroup Conjecture. The chapter on coupled cell systems includes a weath of new examples of 'cycling chaos'. The chapter on equivariant transversality is introductory and centres on an extended discussion of an explicit system of four coupled nonlinear oscillators. The style and format of the original lectures has largely been maintained and the notes include over seventy exercises *with hints for solutions and suggestions kfor further reading). In general terms, the notes are directed at mathematicians and aplied scientists working in the field of bifurcation theory who wish to learn about some of the latest developments and techniques in equivariant bifurcation theory. The notes are relatively self-contained and are structured so that they can form the basis for a graduate level course in equivariant bifurcation theory.

Describes methods revealing the structures and dynamics of turbulence for engineering, physical science and mathematics researchers working in fluid dynamics.