Non-holonomy, critical manifolds and stability in constrained Hamiltonian systems

We approach the analysis of dynamical and geometrical properties of nonholonomic mechanical systems from the discussion of a more general class of auxiliary constrained Hamiltonian systems. The latter is constructed in a manner that it comprises the mechanical system as a dynamical subsystem, which is confined to an invariant manifold. In certain aspects, the embedding system can be more easily analyzed than the mechanical system. We discuss the geometry and topology of the critical set of either system in the generic case, and prove results closely related to the strong Morse-Bott, and Conley-Zehnder inequalities. Furthermore, we consider qualitative issues about the stability of motion in the vicinity of the critical set. Relations to sub-Riemannian geometry are pointed out, and possible implications of our results for engineering problems are sketched.Comment: Latex, 58 page

Art and handwork for the learning-handicapped child.

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

2D growth processes: SLE and Loewner chains

This review provides an introduction to two dimensional growth processes. Although it covers a variety processes such as diffusion limited aggregation, it is mostly devoted to a detailed presentation of stochastic Schramm-Loewner evolutions (SLE) which are Markov processes describing interfaces in 2D critical systems. It starts with an informal discussion, using numerical simulations, of various examples of 2D growth processes and their connections with statistical mechanics. SLE is then introduced and Schramm's argument mapping conformally invariant interfaces to SLE is explained. A substantial part of the review is devoted to reveal the deep connections between statistical mechanics and processes, and more specifically to the present context, between 2D critical systems and SLE. Some of the SLE remarkable properties are explained, as well as the tools for computing with SLE. This review has been written with the aim of filling the gap between the mathematical and the physical literatures on the subject.Comment: A review on Stochastic Loewner evolutions for Physics Reports, 172 pages, low quality figures, better quality figures upon request to the authors, comments welcom