Invariant sets of evolution equations (Q4032212)

The purpose of this paper is to provide an exposition of the concept of invariant sets which may be used to find solutions of nonlinear evolution equations of the type \[ \partial_ t u^ i= F^ i \bigl( t,x_ 1,\dots, x_ n, u^ 1,\dots, u^ m, \dots, \partial_{x_ 1}^{\alpha_ 1} \dots \partial_{x_ n}^{\alpha_ n} u^ k, \dots \bigr)=0, \qquad 1\leq i\leq m. \] New examples of invariant sets (in the bundle of jets on the space of coordinates \((t,x_ 1,\dots, x_ n\), \(u^ 1,\dots, u^ m)\)) for model equations of gas dynamics and inviscid fluids are given. Invariance is shown to guarantee an existence theorem for overdetermined systems. To find solutions of equations with two independent variables the so-called ``\(xt\)-method'' is suggested. The method is used to obtain stationary vortical structures in fluids and plasmas.