On the invariance of generating functions for symplectic transformations (Q1842133)

Generating functions are a basic tool for Hamiltonian mechanics, e.g., to obtain action-angle coordinates in integrable systems, normal forms, results on periodic solutions, numerical methods, etc. From the author's introduction: ``Despite their importance and frequent use, generating functions are not invariantly defined \dots Weinstein proved that for the Poincaré generating function, after a symplectic change of coordinates, the new generating function look the same in third coordinates \dots In this paper we study the invariance of generating functions of general type, where the invariance is in the above sense. We obtain a necessary and sufficient condition for the invariance of the generating functions of a given type under a given symplectic transformation. Our method is different from that of Weinstein in that we only use symplectic geometry, while he uses the singularity theory''.