Some geometric aspects of integrability of differential equations in two independent variables (Q5938616)

What is integrability in the context of partial differential equations? Many alternative answers have been suggested, each of them trying to capture an essential aspect of what it should mean. The author of the present paper studies formal integrability, kinematic integrability, and geometric integrability, the approach favoured by Chern and Tenenblat [\textit{S. S. Chern} and \textit{K. Tenenblat}, Stud. Appl. Math. 74, 55-83 (1986; Zbl 0605.35080)]. The main goal is to compare formal and kinematic integrability. Interestingly, Chern and Tenenblat's geometric point of view can be thought of as a bridge between them, based on that kinematically integrable equations describe one-parameter families of pseudo-spherical surfaces. It is shown that every second-order formally integrable evolution equation is kinematically integrable, and that this result cannot be extended as proven to the third-order case. Conservation laws of kinematically integrable equations obtained from their underlying pseudo-spherical structure are compared with the ones one finds from the Riccati equation of their associated linear problems. Symmetries for these equations are also studied, by considering infinitesimal deformations of the associated pseudo-spherical surfaces. Finally, conservation laws for equations describing pseudo-spherical surfaces immersed in a flat three-space are found, and the class of equations describing Calapo-Guichard surfaces is introduced.