Lie group classification of the generalized Lane-Emden equation (Q1021532)

The authors apply Lie group analysis to perform a complete group classification of the generalized Lane-Emden equation \[ \frac{d^2u}{dx^2}+\frac{n}{x}\frac{du}{dx}+H(u)=0, \] \(n\) is a real constant, which has many applications in mathematical physics and astrophysics. It is shown that the equation admits a three-dimensional equivalence Lie algebra. The principal algebra, which was found to be trivial, has seven possible extensions. Three new cases have been found for which the Lie point symmetry algebra is non-trivial. These cases are compared with the Noether symmetry cases as well as the partial Noether operators.