Harmonic Maps, Loop Groups, and Integrable Systems [Hardcover]

University-level introduction that leads to topics of current research in the theory of harmonic maps.This is an accessible introduction to some of the fundamental connections between differential geometry, Lie groups, and integrable Hamiltonian systems. It 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.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 book leads up to topics of current research.This is an accessible introduction to some of the fundamental connections between differential geometry, Lie groups, and integrable Hamiltonian systems. It 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.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 book leads up to topics of current research.This is an accessible introduction to some of the fundamental connections among differential geometry, Lie groups, and integrable Hamiltonian systems. The text demonstrates 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 as well.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-Dlƒ2