On matrix Painlevé hierarchies (Q281657)

Using an approach of non-isospectral scattering problems developed, for example, in [the authors, J. Math. Phys. 40, No. 11, 5749--5786 (1999; Zbl 1063.37544)] and extending this approach to matrix versions, the authors systematically define a matrix first Painlevé hierarchy and a matrix second Painlevé hierarchy in this paper. They also discuss auto-Bäcklund transformations for this matrix second Painlevé hierarchy and the iteration of solutions by means of these transformations, the derivation of sequences of special integrals, and their autonomous limits. By clarifying a connection between their matrix second Painlevé hierarchy and the matrix modified KdV hierarchy, the authors show the importance of the integrability structures of related completely integrable PDEs for the study of matrix Painlevé hierarchies.