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W. K. Schief

Publications and source records attributed to W. K. Schief.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2024

Affine manifolds: The differential geometry of the multi-dimensionally consistent TED equation

It is shown that a canonical geometric setting of the integrable TED equation is a Kahlerian tangent bundle of an affine manifold. The remarkable multi-dimensional consistency of this 4+4-dimensional dispersionless partial differential equation arises naturally in this context. In a particular 4-dimensional reduction, the affine manifolds turn out to be self-dual Einstein spaces of neutral signature governed by Plebanski's first heavenly equation. In another reduction, the affine manifolds are Hessian, governed by compatible general heavenly equations. The Legendre invariance of the latter gives rise to a (dual) Hessian structure. Foliations of affine manifolds in terms of self-dual Einstein spaces are also shown to arise in connection with a natural 5-dimensional reduction.

nlin.SI↗
arXiv2020

Self-dual Einstein spaces and the general heavenly equation. Eigenfunctions as coordinates

Eigenfunctions are shown to constitute privileged coordinates of self-dual Einstein spaces with the underlying governing equation being revealed as the general heavenly equation. The formalism developed here may be used to link algorithmically a variety of known heavenly equations. In particular, the classical connection between Plebanski's first and second heavenly equations is retrieved and interpreted in terms of eigenfunctions. In addition, connections with travelling wave reductions of the recently introduced TED equation which constitutes a 4+4-dimensional integrable generalisation of the general heavenly equation are found. These are obtained by means of (partial) Legendre transformations. As a particular application, we prove that a large class of self-dual Einstein spaces governed by a compatible system of dispersionless Hirota equations is genuinely four-dimensional in that the (generic) metrics do not admit any (proper or non-proper) conformal Killing vectors. This generalises the known link between a particular class of self-dual Einstein spaces and the dispersionless Hirota equation encoding three-dimensional Einstein-Weyl geometries.

nlin.SI↗
arXiv2019

On an integrable multi-dimensionally consistent 2n+2n-dimensional heavenly-type equation

Based on the commutativity of scalar vector fields, an algebraic scheme is developed which leads to a privileged multi-dimensionally consistent 2n+2n-dimensional integrable partial differential equation with the associated eigenfunction constituting an infinitesimal symmetry. The "universal" character of this novel equation of vanishing Pfaffian type is demonstrated by retrieving and generalising to higher dimensions a great variety of well-known integrable equations such as the dispersionless KP and Hirota equations and various avatars of the heavenly equation governing self-dual Einstein spaces.

nlin.SI↗
arXiv2018

Discrete projective minimal surfaces

We propose a natural discretisation scheme for classical projective minimal surfaces. We follow the classical geometric characterisation and classification of projective minimal surfaces and introduce at each step canonical discrete models of the associated geometric notions and objects. Thus, we introduce discrete analogues of classical Lie quadrics and their envelopes and classify discrete projective minimal surfaces according to the cardinality of the class of envelopes. This leads to discrete versions of Godeaux-Rozet, Demoulin and Tzitzeica surfaces. The latter class of surfaces requires the introduction of certain discrete line congruences which may also be employed in the classification of discrete projective minimal surfaces. The classification scheme is based on the notion of discrete surfaces which are in asymptotic correspondence. In this context, we set down a discrete analogue of a classical theorem which states that an envelope (of the Lie quadrics) of a surface is in asymptotic correspondence with the surface if and only if the surface is either projective minimal or a Q surface. Accordingly, we present a geometric definition of discrete Q surfaces and their relatives, namely discrete counterparts of classical semi-Q, complex, doubly Q and doubly complex surfaces.

math.DG↗
arXiv2018

Surface theory in discrete projective differential geometry. I. A canonical frame and an integrable discrete Demoulin system

We present the first steps of a procedure which discretises surface theory in classical projective differential geometry in such a manner that underlying integrable structure is preserved. We propose a canonical frame in terms of which the associated projective Gauss-Weingarten and Gauss-Mainardi-Codazzi equations adopt compact forms. Based on a scaling symmetry which injects a parameter into the linear Gauss-Weingarten equations, we set down an algebraic classification scheme of discrete projective minimal surfaces which turns out to admit a geometric counterpart formulated in terms of discrete notions of Lie quadrics and their envelopes. In the case of discrete Demoulin surfaces, we derive a Backlund transformation for the underlying discrete Demoulin system and show how the latter may be formulated as a two-component generalisation of the integrable discrete Tzitzeica equation which has originally been derived in a different context. At the geometric level, this connection leads to the retrieval of the standard discretisation of affine spheres in affine differential geometry.

math.DG↗
arXiv2014

Integrable discretization of hodograph-type systems, hyperelliptic integrals and Whitham equations

Based on the well-established theory of discrete conjugate nets in discrete differential geometry, we propose and examine discrete analogues of important objects and notions in the theory of semi-Hamiltonian systems of hydrodynamic type. In particular, we present discrete counterparts of (generalised) hodograph equations, hyperelliptic integrals and associated cycles, characteristic speeds of Whitham type and (implicitly) the corresponding Whitham equations. By construction, the intimate relationship with integrable system theory is maintained in the discrete setting.

nlin.SI↗
arXiv2014

Critical points, Lauricella functions and Whitham-type equations

A large class of semi-Hamiltonian systems of hydrodynamic type is interpreted as the equations governing families of critical points of functions obeying the classical linear Darboux equations for conjugate nets.The distinguished role of the Euler-Poisson-Darboux equations and associated Lauricella-type functions is emphasised. In particular, it is shown that the classical g-phase Whitham equations for the KdV and NLS equations are obtained via a g-fold iterated Darboux-type transformation generated by appropriate Lauricella functions.

nlin.SI↗
arXiv2003

Conformal geometry of the (discrete) Schwarzian Davey-Stewartson II hierarchy

The conformal geometry of the Schwarzian Davey-Stewartson II hierarchy and its discrete analogue is investigated. Connections with discrete and continuous isothermic surfaces and generalised Clifford configurations are recorded. An interpretation of the Schwarzian Davey-Stewartson II flows as integrable deformations of conformally immersed surfaces is given.

nlin.SI↗
arXiv2001

Reciprocal figures, graphical statics and inversive geometry of the Schwarzian BKP hierarchy

A remarkable connection between soliton theory and an important and beautiful branch of the theory of graphical statics developed by Maxwell and his contemporaries is revealed. Thus, it is demonstrated that reciprocal triangles which constitute the simplest pair of reciprocal figures representing both a framework and a self-stress encapsulate the integrable discrete BKP equation and its Schwarzian version. The inherent Moebius invariant nature of the Schwarzian BKP equation is then exploited to define reciprocity in an inversive geometric setting. Integrable pairs of lattices of non-trivial combinatorics consisting of reciprocal triangles and their natural generalizations are discussed. Particular reductions of these BKP lattices are related to the integrable discrete versions of Darboux's 2+1-dimensional sine-Gordon equation and the classical Tzitzeica equation of affine geometry. Furthermore, it is shown that octahedral figures and their hexahedral reciprocals as considered by Maxwell likewise give rise to discrete integrable systems and associated integrable lattices.

nlin.SI↗
arXiv2001

Menelaus' theorem, Clifford configurations and inversive geometry of the Schwarzian KP hierarchy

It is shown that the integrable discrete Schwarzian KP (dSKP) equation which constitutes an algebraic superposition formula associated with, for instance, the Schwarzian KP hierarchy, the classical Darboux transformation and quasi-conformal mappings encapsulates nothing but a fundamental theorem of ancient Greek geometry. Thus, it is demonstrated that the connection with Menelaus' theorem and, more generally, Clifford configurations renders the dSKP equation a natural object of inversive geometry on the plane. The geometric and algebraic integrability of dSKP lattices and their reductions to lattices of Menelaus-Darboux, Schwarzian KdV, Schwarzian Boussinesq and Schramm type is discussed. The dSKP and discrete Schwarzian Boussinesq equations are shown to represent discretizations of families of quasi-conformal mappings.

nlin.SI↗
arXiv2001

On the unification of classical and novel integrable surfaces: I. Differential geometry

A novel class of integrable surfaces is recorded. This class of O surfaces is shown to include and generalize classical surfaces such as isothermic, constant mean curvature, minimal, `linear' Weingarten, Guichard and Petot surfaces and surfaces of constant Gaussian curvature. It is demonstrated that the construction of a Backlund transformation for O surfaces leads in a natural manner to an associated parameter-dependent linear representation. The classical pseudosphere and breather pseudospherical surfaces are generated.

nlin.SI↗
arXiv2001

On the unification of classical and novel integrable surfaces: II. Difference geometry

A novel class of discrete integrable surfaces is recorded. This class of discrete O surfaces is shown to include discrete analogues of classical surfaces such as isothermic, `linear' Weingarten, Guichard and Petot surfaces. Moreover, natural discrete analogues of the Gaussian and mean curvatures for surfaces parametrized in terms of curvature coordinates are used to define surfaces of constant discrete Gaussian and mean curvatures and discrete minimal surfaces. Remarkably, these turn out to be proto-typical examples of discrete O surfaces. It is demonstrated that the construction of a Backlund transformation for discrete O surfaces leads in a natural manner to an associated parameter-dependent linear representation. Canonical discretizations of the classical pseudosphere and breather pseudospherical surfaces are generated. Connections with pioneering work by Bobenko and Pinkall are established.

nlin.SI↗