Projective dynamics and classical gravitation

Given a real vector space V of finite dimension, together with a particular homogeneous field of bivectors that we call a "field of projective forces", we define a law of dynamics such that the position of the particle is a "ray" i.e. a half-line drawn from the origin of V. The impulsion is a bivector whose support is a 2-plane containing the ray. Throwing the particle with a given initial impulsion defines a projective trajectory. It is a curve in the space of rays S(V), together with an impulsion attached to each ray. In the simplest example where the force is identically zero, the curve is a straight line and the impulsion a constant bivector. A striking feature of projective dynamics appears: the trajectories are not parameterized. Among the projective force fields corresponding to a central force, the one defining the Kepler problem is simpler than those corresponding to other homogeneities. Here the thrown ray describes a quadratic cone whose section by a hyperplane corresponds to a Keplerian conic. An original point of view on the hidden symmetries of the Kepler problem emerges, and clarifies some remarks due to Halphen and Appell. We also get the unexpected conclusion that there exists a notion of divergence-free field of projective forces if and only if dim V=4. No metric is involved in the axioms of projective dynamics.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figure

Rigidity and flexibility of entropies of boundary maps associated to Fuchsian groups

Given a closed, orientable surface of constant negative curvature and genus $g \ge 2$, we study the topological entropy and measure-theoretic entropy (with respect to a smooth invariant measure) of generalized Bowen--Series boundary maps. Each such map is defined for a particular fundamental polygon for the surface and a particular multi-parameter. We present and sketch the proofs of two strikingly different results: topological entropy is constant in this entire family ("rigidity"), while measure-theoretic entropy varies within Teichm\"uller space, taking all values ("flexibility") between zero and a maximum, which is achieved on the surface that admits a regular fundamental $(8g-4)$-gon. We obtain explicit formulas for both entropies. The rigidity proof uses conjugation to maps of constant slope, while the flexibility proof -- valid only for certain multi-parameters -- uses the realization of geodesic flow as a special flow over the natural extension of the boundary map.Comment: 22 pages, 11 figure

Symbolic dynamics: from the NN-centre to the (N+1)(N+1)-body problem, a preliminary study

We consider a restricted $(N+1)$-body problem, with $N \geq 3$ and homogeneous potentials of degree -\a<0, \a \in [1,2). We prove the existence of infinitely many collision-free periodic solutions with negative and small Jacobi constant and small values of the angular velocity, for any initial configuration of the centres. We will introduce a Maupertuis' type variational principle in order to apply the broken geodesics technique developed in the paper "N. Soave and S. Terracini. Symbolic dynamics for the $N$-centre problem at negative energies. Discrete and Cont. Dynamical Systems A, 32 (2012)". Major difficulties arise from the fact that, contrary to the classical Jacobi length, the related functional does not come from a Riemaniann structure but from a Finslerian one. Our existence result allows us to characterize the associated dynamical system with a symbolic dynamics, where the symbols are given partitions of the centres in two non-empty sets.Comment: Revised version, to appear on NoDEA Nonlinear Differential Equations and Application

Symbolic dynamics for the NN-centre problem at negative energies

We consider the planar $N$-centre problem, with homogeneous potentials of degree -\a<0, \a \in [1,2). We prove the existence of infinitely many collisions-free periodic solutions with negative and small energy, for any distribution of the centres inside a compact set. The proof is based upon topological, variational and geometric arguments. The existence result allows to characterize the associated dynamical system with a symbolic dynamics, where the symbols are the partitions of the $N$ centres in two non-empty sets