Equivalence of variational problems of higher order

We show that for n>2 the following equivalence problems are essentially the same: the equivalence problem for Lagrangians of order n with one dependent and one independent variable considered up to a contact transformation, a multiplication by a nonzero constant, and modulo divergence; the equivalence problem for the special class of rank 2 distributions associated with underdetermined ODEs z'=f(x,y,y',..., y^{(n)}); the equivalence problem for variational ODEs of order 2n. This leads to new results such as the fundamental system of invariants for all these problems and the explicit description of the maximally symmetric models. The central role in all three equivalence problems is played by the geometry of self-dual curves in the projective space of odd dimension up to projective transformations via the linearization procedure (along the solutions of ODE or abnormal extremals of distributions). More precisely, we show that an object from one of the three equivalence problem is maximally symmetric if and only if all curves in projective spaces obtained by the linearization procedure are rational normal curves.Comment: 20 page

σ\sigma-models on the quantum group manifolds SLq(2,R)SL_{q}(2,R), SLq(2,R)/Uh(1)SL_{q}(2,R)/U_{h}(1), Cq(2∣0)C_{q}(2|0) and infinitesimal trasformations

The differential and variational calculus on the $SL_{q}(2,R)$ group is constructed. The spontaneous breaking symmetry in the WZNW model with $SL_{q}(2,R)$ quantum group symmetry and in the $\sigma$-models with ${SL_{q}(2,R)/U_{h}(1)}$ ,$C_{q}(2|0)$ quantum group symmetry is considered. The Lagrangian formalism over the quantum group manifolds is discussed. The classical solution of $C_{q}(2|0)$ {$\sigma$}-model is obtained.Comment: LaTex, 7 page

On the Treves theorem for the AKNS equation

According to a theorem of Treves, the conserved functionals of the AKNS equation vanish on all pairs of formal Laurent series of a specified form, both of them with a pole of the first order. We propose a new and very simple proof for this statement, based on the theory of B\"acklund transformations; using the same method, we prove that the AKNS conserved functionals vanish on other pairs of Laurent series. The spirit is the same of our previous paper on the Treves theorem for the KdV, with some non trivial technical differences.Comment: LaTeX, 16 page