Integrable Hamiltonian systems on symmetric spaces: Jacobi, Kepler and Moser

Abstract

This paper defines a class of variational problems on Lie groups that admit involutive automorphisms. The maximum Principle of optimal control then identifies the appropriate left invariant Hamiltonians on the Lie algebra of the group. The corresponding Hamiltonian equations admit a spectral representation with important applications to the theory of integrable systems. Particular cases make a link to Moser's work relating the solutions of Kepler's problem to the geodesics on spaces of constant curvature, Newmann's mechanical problem on the sphere and related geodesic problem of Jacobi on an ellipsoid.