Nonlinear waves and solitons on contours and closed surfaces. (Q2383429)

It is extremely difficult to comprise in a single book the study of nonlinear equations modeling the nature surrounding us even when concentrating on a special phenomenon. However, by choosing models of nonlinear effects that occur mostly on closed, compact curves and surfaces, the author succeeds in writing a monograph which introduces the physics of solitons on compact systems to readers who may not have any such prior knowledge. Yet, one does not remain with the feeling that the book lacks either rigor or substance. The text is suitable for a graduate course on special topics or it can be used by readers with various backgrounds and interests who simply want to understand the connections between geometry and the phenomena of nonlinear waves. Chapters 1--3 offer an introduction, first to the notion of soliton, then to a number of elementary notions from general topology, followed by basic representation formulas (Cauchy, Green, Stokes) relying on boundary values. A soliton is understood from the perspective of mathematical physics as a solitary wave solution of a nonlinear evolutionary system. Asymptotically it preserves its shape and velocity against interactions with other type solutions of the system or other type of localized disturbances. The remainder of what is called Part I: ``Mathematical prerequisites'' is the most geometric section of the book. In fact, it consists of a nice introduction to vector fields, differential forms and derivatives (Chapter 4), followed by the differential geometry of curves (Chapter 5). There is a regrettable typo in Theorem 12, section 5.2, where the well-known isoperimetric inequality for a simple, closed, planar curve or length \(L\) and area of the enclosed domain \(A\) should read \(L^2 \geq 4 \pi A\). In Chapter 6, we encounter first examples of solitons in various examples of nonlinear kinematics of two-dimensional curves. Chapters 7 and 8 generalize the treatment of curves to surfaces. We see elements of the differential geometry of surfaces, surface differential operators (gradient, divergence, Laplacian, curl) and elements of dynamics of moving surfaces. The most extensive part, Part II: ``Solitons and nonlinear waves on closed curves and surfaces'', focuses on the fundamentals of nonlinear hydrodynamics. Giving both frameworks of fluid dynamics (Lagrangian and Eulerian), the author continues with the Eulerian approach which describes the motion of a fluid from a stationary lab frame by employing appropriate geometrical tools. The description is quite detailed and very welcome for anybody unfamiliar with the set up. We understand why the early treatment of the boundary is essential, as Chapter 10 looks at the dynamics of the fluid confined in a compact domain with free boundaries. Chapters 11 and 12 presents examples of nonlinear evolution equations (KdV and modified KdV equation for example) in one dimension respectively two dimensions (flattened droplets). We then pass naturally to nonlinear waves in three dimensions (Chapter 13) through the study of shape oscillations of drops. Chapter 14 (Other Special Nonlinear Compact Systems) stands a bit apart from the rest. It concludes, even if rather briefly, this part of the book providing a different geometric approach to predict compact solitons. The final part, Part III: ``Physical nonlinear systems at different scales'', is devoted to selected physical applications. Among them is the application of theory of nonlinear integrable systems on free one-dimensional systems to the existence of solitons on filaments (Chapter 15). Further, applications of soliton theory to nuclei or quantum Hall liquids (Chapter 16) and a description of nonlinear modes in neutron stars (Chapter 17). The text concludes with a mathematical annex which contains among other things the one-soliton solutions of the KdV and MKdV equations and nonlinear dispersion relation approach. The latter provides information on the relations between, say for example, amplitude and speed of a soliton solution without actually solving the equation.