Geometric decomposition, potential-based representation and integrability of non-linear systems

Abstract

Abstract This paper considers the problem of representing a sufficiently smooth non-linear dynamical [system] as a structured potential-driven system. The proposed method is based on a decomposition of a differential one-form associated to a given vector field into its exact and anti-exact components, and into its co -exact and anti-coexact components. The decomposition method, based on the Hodge decomposition theorem, is rendered constructive by introducing a dual operator to the standard homotopy operator. The dual operator inverts locally the co-differential operator, and is used in the present paper to identify the symplectic structure of the dynamics. Applications of the proposed approach to gradient systems, Hamiltonian systems and generalized Hamiltonian systems are given to illustrate the proposed approach. Finally, integrability conditions for generalized Hamiltonian systems are established using the proposed decomposition.