Classical R-matrix theory for bi-Hamiltonian field systems

Abstract

This is a survey of the application of the classical R-matrix formalism to the construction of infinite-dimensional integrable Hamiltonian field systems. The main point is the study of bi-Hamiltonian structures. Appropriate constructions on Poisson, noncommutative and loop algebras as well as the central extension procedure are presented. The theory is developed for (1 + 1)- and (2 + 1)-dimensional field and lattice soliton systems as well as hydrodynamic systems. The formalism presented contains sufficiently many proofs and important details to make it self-contained and complete. The general theory is applied to several infinite-dimensional Lie algebras in order to construct both dispersionless and dispersive (soliton) integrable field systems. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.