Symmetry classification of quasi-linear PDE's containing arbitrary functions (Q840380)

The author considers the symmetry analysis of quasi-linear partial differential equations containing arbitrary ``reaction terms'' \(F_\ell(u)\) (i.e. the arbitrary functions do not appear in the coefficients of the derivatives of \(u\)). He shows that only one determining equation involves the functions \(F_\ell(u)\) and that this equation may be considered as a linear relation between the functions \(F_\ell(u)\), \(F'_\ell(u)\), \(uF'_\ell(u)\), \(u\) and \(1\). Hence non-trivial symmetries can appear only, if these functions are linearly dependent. As first example a generalised Laplace equation of the form \(\Delta u-\alpha(x,y)F(u)=0\) is considered where it turns out that two special cases arises, namely \(F(u)=u^m\) (with \(m\neq0,1\)) and \(F(u)=e^{-u}\). As second example a generalisation of the Grad-Schlüter-Shafranov equation from plasma physics is treated: \[ u_{xx}+u_{yy}+au_x/x=\alpha(x,y)F_1(u)+F_2(u). \] Again two special cases arises: one where the \(F_i\) are powers of \(u\) and one where they are exponentials.