Third-order superintegrable systems with potentials satisfying only nonlinear equations

Abstract

The conditions for superintegrable systems in two-dimensional Euclidean space admitting separation of variables in an orthogonal coordinate system and a functionally independent third-order integral are studied. It is shown that only systems that separate in subgroup type coordinates, Cartesian or polar, admit potentials that can be described in terms of nonlinear special functions. Systems separating in parabolic or elliptic coordinates are shown to have potentials with only non-movable singularities.