Exponentiable Lie-Backlund vector fields in $J^\infty(\mathbb{R}^n, \mathbb{R}^m)$

Abstract

We characterize Lie -Backlund vector fields in infinite dimensional jet bundles $J^\infty(\mathbb{R}^n, \mathbb{R}^m)$ that can be exponentiated to flows with each component depending on a finite set of variables. We show that for $m=1$ each such field is an extension of one in a finite dimensional jet space. For $m>1$ this is no longer the case and we give necessary and sufficient conditions for exponentiation. Non-trivial examples are provided for $(n,m)=(1,2)$.