Introduction to Hamiltonian dynamical systems and the \(N\)-body problem. (Q1006112): Difference between revisions

[For the review of the 1st ed. see (1992; Zbl 0743.70006).] This is an interesting book on Hamiltonian systems, which is conceived as a first course at the graduate level. Although there is no formal division, the book has two parts. The first one includes seven chapters and is more introductory in nature. The first chapter introduces Hamiltonian systems, in an informal way. In chapter 2 the equations of celestial mechanics and the \(N\)-body problem are presented; in particular, the cases \(N=2,3\). The introductory ideas about linear Hamiltonian systems are given in chapter 3, which is supplemented, in chapter 4, with a quick review of topics in linear theory of Hamiltonian systems. Chapters 5 and 6 give some basic ideas of differential geometry; in particular, those concerning differential forms, symplectic manifolds, symplectic transformations, etc. Finally, some kinds of special coordinates which are used in the celestial mechanics are analyzed in chapter 7. The second part contains the most interesting and advanced material of the book. In chapters 8 and 9, the authors study different topics on the geometric theory of Hamiltonian systems and their solutions, such as the flow box theorem, Noether's theorem and symmetries, periodic solutions and equilibrium points, hyperbolic systems and homoclinic phenomena, Lyapunov center theorem, and Poincaré and Hill's solutions. Chapter 10 develops a method for treating perturbations of linear and integrable systems (normal forms). These formal aspects are used in chapter 11, where the theory of bifurcations and its applications are presented including the Poincaré conjecture, and also in chapter 12, where some of the topics treated in the previous chapters are analyzed using variational arguments. In chapter 13 we find an introduction to the study of stability of Hamiltonian systems and related topics, namely: the Lyapunov theorem and KAM theory. Finally, in the last chapter, some topological techniques are used to show different properties of orbits (existence of periodic orbits, invariant circles and the Aubry-Mather theorem). The book is written in a rigorous style, and constitutes a very complete course on the theory of Hamiltonian systems.