Application of Lie group analysis to functional differential equations

Abstract

In the present paper the classical point symmetry analysis is extended from partial differential to functional differential equations with functional derivatives. In order to perform the group analysis and deal with the functional derivatives we extend the quantities such as infinitesimal transformations, prolongations and invariant solutions. For the sake of example the procedure is applied to the continuum limit of the heat equation. The method can further lead to significant applications in statistical physics and fluid dynamics.