Related papers: Generalizing Parametrization Invariance in the Cal…
Considering an extension of the principle of covarience to the action along a path in relativistic Lagrangian mechanics, we motivate the use of geometric -- i.e. covariant and parameter invariant -- Lagrangian functions. We then study some…
The inverse problem of the calculus of variations consists in determining if the solutions of a given system of second order differential equations correspond with the solutions of the Euler-Lagrange equations for some regular Lagrangian.…
A setting for global variational geometry on Grassmann fibrations is presented. The integral variational functionals for finite dimensional immersed submanifolds are studied by means of the fundamental Lepage equivalent of a homogeneous…
It is shown that when the Einstein-Hilbert Lagrangian is considered without any non-covariant modifications or change of variables, its Hamiltonian formulation leads to results consistent with principles of General Relativity. The…
The Lagrangian formalism on a arbitrary non-fibrating manifold is considered. The kinematical description of this generic situation is based on the concept of (higher-order) Grassmann manifolds which is the factorization of the regular…
The variational formalism for classical field theories is extended to the setting of Lie algebroids. Given a Lagrangian function we study the problem of finding critical points of the action functional when we restrict the fields to be…
In this paper we consider the problem of the calculus of variations for a functional which is the composition of a certain scalar function $H$ with the delta integral of a vector valued field $f$, i.e., of the form…
We first extend the Peierls algebra of gauge invariant functions from the space ${\cal S}$ of classical solutions to the space ${\cal H}$ of histories used in path integration and some studies of decoherence. We then show that it may be…
We develop in this paper a new framework for discrete calculus of variations when the actions have densities involving an arbitrary discretization operator. We deduce the discrete Euler-Lagrange equations for piecewise continuous critical…
Path integral formulation of quantum mechanics (and also other equivalent formulations) depends on a Lagrangian and/or Hamiltonian function that is chosen to describe the underlying classical system. The arbitrariness presented in this…
We investigate the properties of minimizers of one-dimensional variational problems when the Lagrangian has no higher smoothness than continuity. An elementary approximation result is proved, but it is shown that this cannot be in general…
We show that if a Lagrangian is invariant under a transformation (with the invariance defined in the standard manner), then the equations of motion obtained from it maintain their form under the transformation. We also show that the…
We study variational systems for space curves, for which the Lagrangian or action principle has a Euclidean symmetry, using the Rotation Minimising frame, also known as the Normal, Parallel or Bishop frame. Such systems have previously been…
We propose Lagrangian formulation for the particle with value of spin fixed within the classical theory. The Lagrangian turns out to be invariant under non-abelian group of local symmetries. As the gauge-invariant variables for description…
A variational principle for Lagrangian densities containing derivatives of real order is formulated and the invariance of this principle is studied in two characteristic cases. Necessary and sufficient conditions for an infinitesimal…
We deal with direct and inverse problems of the calculus of variations on arbitrary time scales. Firstly, using the Euler-Lagrange equation and the strengthened Legendre condition, we give a general form for a variational functional to…
Gauge invariance, a core principle in electrodynamics, has two separate meanings. One concept treats the photon as the gauge particle for electrodynamics. It is based on symmetries of the Lagrangian, and requires no mention of electric or…
A parameterization is described for quantifying translational motion of a point in three-dimensional Euclidean space. The parameterization is similar to well-known parameterizations such as spherical coordinates in that both position and…
We analyze the relation of the notion of a pluri-Lagrangian system, which recently emerged in the theory of integrable systems, to the classical notion of variational symmetry, due to E. Noether. We treat classical mechanical systems and…
A new method is presented for obtaining indefinite integrals of common special functions. The approach is based on a Lagrangian formulation of the general homogeneous linear ordinary differential equation of second order. A general integral…