Complete separability of time-dependent second-order ordinary differential equations (Q1909380)

Given a system of differential equations \(d^2 q/dt = f(t,q, dq/dt)\), \(q = (q^1, \dots, q^n)\), necessary and sufficient conditions are established for the existence of regular time-dependent coordinate transformation \(Q^j = Q^j (t,q)\) such that the system decouples into \(n\) independent equations \(d^2 Q^j = F^j (t, Q^j, dQ^j/dt)\) in the new coordinates. The authors employ the original method of derivations of scalar and vector-valued forms along the projection \(\pi : J^1E\) \(E\) of the first-order jet bundle; see the same authors [Differ. Geom. Appl. 5, No. 2, 171-203 (1995; Zbl 0831.58003)], and thoroughly discuss the concepts of separability and diagonalizability of \((1,1)\)-tensor fields. The paper is in principle self-contained. Three instructive examples are presented.