Noether theorem in higher-order Lagrangian mechanics (Q1898851)

This paper studies higher-order Lagrangians on the \(k\)-velocity manifold. Analytical mechanics based on Lagrangians defined on higher-order jet spaces has been studied fairly extensively since at least 1935. The author of this paper addresses the problem of studying Lagrangians defined on higher-order velocity space by methods which are straightforward extensions of the classical ones. More particularly, the author asks how one can derive Euler-Lagrange equations from the condition that the integral of action \[ I(c)= \int^1_0 L\Biggl(x, {dx\over dt},\dots, {1\over k!} {d^k x\over dt^k}\Biggr)dt \] satisfies Hamilton's principle, or how a Noether theorem can be formulated. The author's investigation proceeds from a definition of the differentiable higher-order Lagrangian on the \(k\)-osculator bundle \(\text{Osc}^k(M)\) over the base manifold \(M\). Necessary conditions (called Zermelo conditions) are given which guarantee that the action integral \(I(c)\) does not depend on the parameterization of the curve \(c\). The author then derives the Euler-Lagrange equations, examines the energy and higher-order energy functions, and proves a Noether-type theorem.