Routh reduction and Cartan mechanics

In the present work a Cartan mechanics version for Routh reduction is considered, as an intermediate step toward Routh reduction in field theory. Motivation for this generalization comes from an scheme for integrable systems [12], used for understanding the occurrence of Toda field theories in so called Hamiltonian reduction of WZNW field theories [11]. As a way to accomplish with this intermediate aim, this article also contains a formulation of the Lagrangian Adler-Kostant-Symes systems discussed in [12] in terms of Routh reduction.Comment: 46 pages, comments are welcome. Version 2 contains an additional section concerning reduced equations of motion in quasicoordinate

The Theory of Caustics and Wavefront Singularities with Physical Applications

This is intended as an introduction to and review of the work of V, Arnold and his collaborators on the theory of Lagrangian and Legendrian submanifolds and their associated maps. The theory is illustrated by applications to Hamilton-Jacobi theory and the eikonal equation, with an emphasis on null surfaces and wavefronts and their associated caustics and singularities.Comment: Figs. not include