The Degasperis-Procesi equation as a non-metric Euler equation (Q658337)

The authors are concerned with the Degasperis-Procesi equation \[ -(u-u_{xx})_t=u(u-u_{xx})_x+bu_x(u-u_{xx}), \] where \(b\) is any real number. The geometric approach of the paper shows that the equation is well posed in the smooth category \(C^\infty(J,C^\infty(\mathbb{S}^1))\) where \(J\) is in an open interval containing \(0\). The study encompasses the already known cases \(b=2\) and \(b=3\). Indeed, the authors prove that the \(b\)-equation may be recast as the geodesic flow of a symmetric linear connection on the Banach manifold (Fréchet-Lie group) \(\text{Diff}^\infty(\mathbb{S}^1)\). Also, the authors prove that the exponential map of this linear connection is a smooth local diffeomorphism. Finally, the non-periodic case is discussed.