Algebraic Discretization of the Camassa-Holm and Hunter-Saxton Equations

Abstract

The Camassa-Holm (CH) and Hunter-Saxton (HS) equations have an interpretation as geodesic flow equations on the group of diffeomorphisms, preserving the H 1 and right-invariant metrics correspondingly. There is an analogy to the Euler equations in hydrodynamics, which describe geodesic flow for a right-invariant metric on the infinite-dimensional group of diffeomorphisms preserving the volume element of the domain of fluid flow and to the Euler equations of rigid body whith a fixed point, describing geodesics for a left-invariant metric on SO(3). The CH and HS equations are integrable bi-hamiltonian equations and one of their Hamiltonian structures is associated to the Virasoro algebra. The parallel with the integrable SO(3) top is made explicit by a discretization of both equation based on Fourier modes expansion. The obtained equations represent integrable tops with infinitely many momentum components. An emphasis is given on the structure of the phase space of these equations, the momentum map and the space of canonical variables.