No label defined (Q4380705)

This is a survey article on recent results for stationary equations from the geometric view point. First, the author constructs the geometric framework for general first order partial differential equations in the projective cotangent bundle. The geometric framework for quasilinear equations is formulated as a special case, and a characterization of quasilinear equations in terms of the characteristic field is given. Moreover, the geometric meaning of smooth solution surfaces and the non-characteristic Cauchy problem are considered, in order to understand the characteristic case. After that, a local classification of multivalued solutions of the non-characteristic Cauchy problem (which are solved by the classical method of characteristics) is given. Finally the author constructs a class of solution surfaces (with singularities) for quasilinear equations, which contains solution surfaces of the characteristic Cauchy data which are solved by the characteristic method and gives a generic classification of singularities of such solution surfaces. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0882.00014].