Whitham-Toda Hierarchy in the Laplacian Growth Problem

The Laplacian growth problem in the limit of zero surface tension is proved to be equivalent to finding a particular solution to the dispersionless Toda lattice hierarchy. The hierarchical times are harmonic moments of the growing domain. The Laplacian growth equation itself is the quasiclassical version of the string equation that selects the solution to the hierarchy.Comment: 7 pages, no figures, Talk given at the Workshop NEEDS 99 (Crete, Greece, June 1999

The master T-operator for the Gaudin model and the KP hierarchy

Following the approach of [arXiv:1112.3310], we construct the master T -operator for the quantum Gaudin model with twisted boundary conditions and show that it satisfies the bilinear identity and Hirota equations for the classical KP hierarchy. We also characterize the class of solutions to the KP hierarchy that correspond to eigenvalues of the master T-operator and study dynamics of their zeros as functions of the spectral parameter. This implies a remarkable connection between the quantum Gaudin model and the classical Calogero-Moser system of particles.Comment: 56 pages, v2: details added in appendix C, v3: published versio

Dispersionless version of the constrained Toda hierarchy and symmetric radial L\"owner equation

We study the dispersionless version of the recently introduced constrained Toda hierarchy. Like the Toda lattice itself, it admits three equivalent formulations: the formulation in terms of Lax equations, the formulation of the Zakharov-Shabat type and the formulation through the generating equation for the dispersionless limit of logarithm of the tau-function. We show that the dispersionless constrained Toda hierarchy describes conformal maps of reflection-symmetric planar domains to the exterior of the unit disc. We also find finite-dimensional reductions of the hierarchy and show that they are characterized by a differential equation of the L\"owner type which we call the symmetric radial L\"owner equation. It is also shown that solutions to the symmetric radial L\"owner equation are conformal maps of the exterior of the unit circle with two symmetric slits to the exterior of the unit circle.Comment: 24 pages, 5 figure

Singular limit of Hele-Shaw flow and dispersive regularization of shock waves

We study a family of solutions to the Saffman-Taylor problem with zero surface tension at a critical regime. In this regime, the interface develops a thin singular finger. The flow of an isolated finger is given by the Whitham equations for the KdV integrable hierarchy. We show that the flow describing bubble break-off is identical to the Gurevich-Pitaevsky solution for regularization of shock waves in dispersive media. The method provides a scheme for the continuation of the flow through singularites.Comment: Some typos corrected, added journal referenc

Unstable fingering patterns of Hele-Shaw flows as a dispersionless limit of the KdV hierarchy

We show that unstable fingering patterns of two dimensional flows of viscous fluids with open boundary are described by a dispersionless limit of the KdV hierarchy. In this framework, the fingering instability is linked to a known instability leading to regularized shock solutions for nonlinear waves, in dispersive media. The integrable structure of the flow suggests a dispersive regularization of the finite-time singularities.Comment: Published versio

Macdonald Polynomials from Sklyanin Algebras: A Conceptual Basis for the pp-Adics-Quantum Group Connection

We establish a previously conjectured connection between $p$-adics and quantum groups. We find in Sklyanin's two parameter elliptic quantum algebra and its generalizations, the conceptual basis for the Macdonald polynomials, which ``interpolate'' between the zonal spherical functions of related real and $p$\--adic symmetric spaces. The elliptic quantum algebras underlie the $Z_n$\--Baxter models. We show that in the n \air \infty limit, the Jost function for the scattering of {\em first} level excitations in the $Z_n$\--Baxter model coincides with the Harish\--Chandra\--like $c$\--function constructed from the Macdonald polynomials associated to the root system $A_1$. The partition function of the $Z_2$\--Baxter model itself is also expressed in terms of this Macdonald\--Harish\--Chandra\ $c$\--function, albeit in a less simple way. We relate the two parameters $q$ and $t$ of the Macdonald polynomials to the anisotropy and modular parameters of the Baxter model. In particular the $p$\--adic ``regimes'' in the Macdonald polynomials correspond to a discrete sequence of XXZ models. We also discuss the possibility of ``$q$\--deforming'' Euler products.Comment: 25 page

A Hierarchical Array of Integrable Models

Motivated by Harish-Chandra theory, we construct, starting from a simple CDD\--pole $S$\--matrix, a hierarchy of new $S$\--matrices involving ever ``higher'' (in the sense of Barnes) gamma functions.These new $S$\--matrices correspond to scattering of excitations in ever more complex integrable models.From each of these models, new ones are obtained either by ``$q$\--deformation'', or by considering the Selberg-type Euler products of which they represent the ``infinite place''. A hierarchic array of integrable models is thus obtained. A remarkable diagonal link in this array is established.Though many entries in this array correspond to familiar integrable models, the array also leads to new models. In setting up this array we were led to new results on the $q$\--gamma function and on the $q$\--deformed Bloch\--Wigner function.Comment: 18 pages, EFI-92-2

Integrable Structure of Interface Dynamics

We establish the equivalence of a 2D contour dynamics to the dispersionless limit of the integrable Toda hierarchy constrained by a string equation. Remarkably, the same hierarchy underlies 2D quantum gravity.Comment: 5 pages, no figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Lett, typos correcte