Doubly asymptotic trajectories of Lagrangian systems in homogeneous force fields

Abstract

We study Lagrangian systems with symmetry under the action of a constant generalized force in the direction of the symmetry field. After Routh's reduction, such systems become nonautonomous with Lagrangian quadratic in time. We prove the existence of solutions tending to an orbit of the symmetry group as t→± ∞. As an example, we study doubly asymptotic solutions for the Kirchhoff problem of a heavy rigid body in an infinite volume of incompressible ideal fluid performing a potential motion.