An algebraic study of Volterra integral equations and their operator linearity (Q2068184)

In the same way as integral operators give rise to Rota-Baxter algebras, it is shown here that Volterra operators give rise to twisted matching Rota-Baxter algebras: such objects are associative (commutative) algebras with a family of operators \((P_\alpha)_{\alpha \in \Omega}\) and a family of invertible operators \((\tau_\alpha)_{\alpha \in \Omega}\), with the axioms \[ P_\alpha(x)P_\beta(y)=\tau_\alpha P_\beta(\tau_\alpha^{-1}P_\alpha(x)y) +\tau_\beta P_\alpha(\tau_\beta^{-1}xP_\beta(y)). \] Up to a twist, this can be related to non twisted matching Rota-Baxter algebras. In order to give an algebraic framework for these objects, free operated algebras are described, firstly in terms of bracketed words, secondly in terms of decorated rooted trees. By quotient, free matching Rota-Baxter algebras over an algebra are obtained. This formalism is used to prove that any integral equation with separable kernels can be reexpressed in terms of iterated integrals with the same kernels.