Fractional generalization of gradient systems (Q2571669)

The paper is devoted to the study of a dynamical system defined by the equations \[ \frac{dx_i}{dt}=F_i(x)\;\;(i=1\dots,n)\tag{1} \] on a subset \(X\) of \(\mathbb R^n\) \((n\geq 1)\). This system is called a fractional gradient system if the fractional differential 1-form \(\omega_{\alpha}=F_i(x)(dx_i)^{\alpha}\) is the so-called exact fractional form \(\omega_{\alpha}=-d^{\alpha}V\), where \(V=V(x)\) is a continuously differentiable function. Here \(d^{\alpha}=(dx_i)^{\alpha}{\mathbf D}^{\alpha}_{x_i}\) where \({\mathbf D}^{\alpha}_{x_i}\) is the Riemann-Liouville partial fractional derivative of order \(\alpha >0\) defined by \[ {\mathbf D}^{\alpha}_{x_i}f(x)=\frac{1}{\Gamma (m-\alpha)}\frac{\partial ^m}{\partial x_i^m}\int^{x_i}_{0}\frac{f(x^{\prime},y)dy}{(x_i-y)^{\alpha -m+1}}, \quad x^{\prime}=(x_1,\dots,x_{i-1},x_{i+1},\dots, x_n),\tag{2} \] \(m\) being the first whole number greater or equal to \(\alpha\). Note that \(d^{\alpha}\) as a fractional exterior derivative generalizing the exterior derivative \(d=dx_i(\partial/\partial x_i)\) was introduced by \textit{K. Cottrill-Shepherd} and \textit{M. Naber} [J. Math. Phys. 42, No.~5, 2203--2212 (2001; Zbl 1011.58001). Conditions are given for (1) to be a fractional gradient system such that \[ \frac{dx_i}{dt}=-{\mathbf D}^{\alpha}_{x_i}V(x).\tag{3} \] The stationary states of gradient system (3) are described. Examples of fractional gradient systems that can not be considered as a gradient system are given. It is proved that a dynamical system defined by the well known Lorenz equations can be considered as a fractional gradient system. Note. \({\mathbf D}^{\alpha}_{x_i}f(x)\), defined in (6) of the paper as the Riemann-Liouville fractional derivative, must be understood as the Riemann-Liouville partial fractional derivative defined by the above (2).