Harmonic Maps, Loop Groups, and Integrable Systems (Paperback)

Paperback. This is an accessible introduction to some of the fundamental connections among differential geometry, Lie groups, and integrable Hamiltonian systems. The text demonstrates how the theory of loop groups can be used to study harmonic maps. By concentrating on the main ideas and examples, the author leads up to topics of current research. The book is suitable for students who are beginning to study manifolds and Lie groups, and should be of interest both to mathematicians and to theoretical physicists as well. This book is an introduction to an important area of mathematics and mathematical physics. It is accessible to university students, but leads to topics of current research in the theory of harmonic maps. It is the first book on this subject at this level. This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.