Symmetries of Hamiltonian equations and Lambda-constants of motion

Abstract

We consider symmetries and perturbed symmetries of canonical Hamiltonian equations of motion. Specifically we consider the case in which the Hamiltonian equations exhibit a Lambda symmetry under some Lie point vector field. After a brief survey of the relationships between standard symmetries and the existence of first integrals, we recall the definition and the properties of Lambda symmetries. We show that in the presence of a Lambda symmetry for the Hamiltonian equations, one can introduce the notion of "Lambda-constant of motion". The presence of a Lambda symmetry leads also to a nice and useful reduction of the form of the equations. We then consider the case in which the Hamiltonian problem is deduced from a Lambda-invariant Lagrangian. We illustrate how the Lagrangian Lambda-invariance is transferred into the Hamiltonian context and show that the Hamiltonian equations are Lambda-symmetric. We also compare the "partial" (Lagrangian) reduction of the Euler-Lagrange equations with the reduction which can be obtained for the Hamiltonian equations. Several examples illustrate and clarify the various situations.