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Lagrangian mechanics on centered semi-direct product

Mathematical Physics 2014-10-02 v2 math.MP

Abstract

There exists two types of semi-direct products between a Lie group GG and a vector space VV. The left semi-direct product, GVG \ltimes V, can be constructed when GG is equipped with a left action on VV. Similarly, the right semi-direct product, GVG \rtimes V, can be constructed when GG is equipped with a right action on VV. In this paper, we will construct a new type of semi-direct product, GVG \Join V, which can be seen as the `sum' of a right and left semi-direct product. We then parallel existing semi-direct product Euler-Poincar\'{e} theory. We find that the group multiplication, the Lie bracket, and the diamond operator can each be seen as a sum of the associated concepts in right and left semi-direct product theory. Finally, we conclude with a toy example and the group of 2-jets of diffeomorphisms above a fixed point. This final example has potential use in the creation of particle methods for problems on diffeomorphism groups.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1303.3883,
  title  = {Lagrangian mechanics on centered semi-direct product},
  author = {Leonardo J. Colombo and Henry O. Jacobs},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1303.3883},
  year   = {2014}
}

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R2 v1 2026-06-21T23:42:56.385Z