Physics on Manifolds

The role of the geometry of manifolds in space-time physics, and that of functional analysis in quantum mechanics and quantum field theory have become increasingly important. This is particularly true in the study of the global behaviour of solutions of differential systems on manifolds, and their implications to general relativity.
Yvonne Choquet-Bruhat has contributed much to this exciting area of mathematical physics, and her work on the existence of solutions to Einstein's equations on differential manifolds of a general type has subsequently stimulated and inspired much important research. She has also played a pioneering role in the study of global problems, especially in gauge field theory and supergravity, and in the development of a theory of asymptotic gravitational and electromagnetic waves.
The various contributions appearing in this volume, authored by eminent scientists, illustrate the latest developments in the many areas of contemporary physics which have greatly benefited from Choquet-Bruhat's work and influence.
For mathematical physicists with an interest in relativity, quantum mechanics and field theory.

Inhalt

Foreword. Introduction; J.C. Legrand. Relativistic dissipative fluids; A.M. Anile, G. Ali, V. Romano. Mathematical problems related to liquid crystals, superconductors and superfluids; H. Brezis. Microcanonical action and the entropy of a rotating black hole; J.D. Brown, J.W. York, Jr. Problème de Cauchy sur un cônoïde caractéristique. Applications à certains systèmes non linéaires d'origine physique; F. Cagnac, M. Dossa. Recent progress on the Cauchy problem in general relativity; D. Christodoulou. On some links between mathematical physics and physics in the context of general relativity; T. Damour. Functional integration. A multipurpose tool; C. DeWitt-Morette. Generalized frames of references and intrinsic Cauchy problem in general relativity; G. Ferrarese, C. Cattani. Reducing Einstein's equations to an unconstrained hamiltonian system on the cotangent bundle of Teichmüller space; A.E. Fischer, V. Moncrief. Darboux transformations for a class of integrable systems in n variables; C*.H. Gu. Group theoretical treatment of fundamental solutions; N.H.Ibragimov. On the regularity properties of the wave equation; S.Klainerman, M. Machedon. Le problème de Cauchy linéaire et analytique pour un opérateur holomorphe et un second membre ramifié; J. Leray. On Boltzmann equation; P.L. Lions. Star products and quantum groups; C. Moreno, L. Valero. On asymptotic of solutions of a nonlinear elliptic equation in a cylindrical domain; O*. Oleinik. Fundamental physics in universal space-time; I. Segal. Interaction of gravitational and electromagnetic waves in general relativity; A.H. Taub. Anti-self dual conformal structures on 4-manifolds; C. Taubes. Chaotic behavior in relativistic motion; E. Calzetta. Some results on non constant mean curvature solutions of the Einstein constraint equations; J. Isenberg, V. Moncrief. Levi condition for general systems; W. Matsumoto. Conditions invariantes pour un système, du type conditions de Levi; J. Vaillant. Black holes in supergravity; P.C. Aichelburg. Low-dimensional behaviour in the rotating driven cavity problem; E.A. Christensen, J.N. Sorensen, M. Brons, P.L. Christiansen. Some geometrical aspects of inhomogeneous elasticity; M. Epstein, G.A. Maugin. Integrating the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation in the 1+3 dimensions via the generalised Monge-Ampère equation: an example of conditioned Painlevé test; T. Brugarino, A. Greco. Spinning mass endowed with electric charge and magnetic dipole moment; V.S. Manko, N.R. Sibgatullin. Equations de Vlasov en théorie discrète; G. Pichon. Convexity and symmetrization in classical and relativistic balance laws systems; T. Ruggeri.