Toward Classification of 2nd Order Superintegrable Systems in 3-Dimensional Conformally Flat Spaces with Functionally Linearly Dependent Symmetry Operators
Bjorn K. Berntson, Ernest G. Kalnins, Willard Miller
We make significant progress toward the classification of 2nd order superintegrable systems on 3-dimensional conformally flat space that have functionally linearly dependent (FLD) symmetry generators, with special emphasis on complex Euclidean space. The symmetries for these systems are linearly dependent only when the coefficients are allowed to depend on the spatial coordinates. The Calogero-Moser system with 3 bodies on a line and 2-parameter rational potential is the best known example of an FLD superintegrable system. We work out the structure theory for these FLD systems on 3D conformally flat space and show, for example, that they always admit a 1st order symmetry. A partial classification of FLD systems on complex 3D Euclidean space is given. This is part of a project to classify all 3D 2nd order superintegrable systems on conformally flat spaces.
In this paper we continue the work of Kalnins et al in classifying all second-order conformally-superintegrable (Laplace-type) systems over conformally flat spaces, using tools from algebraic geometry and classical invariant theory. The results obtained show, through Staeckel equivalence, that the list of known nondegenerate superintegrable systems over three-dimensional conformally flat spaces is complete. In particular, a 7-dimensional manifold is determined such that each point corresponds to a conformal class of superintegrable systems. This manifold is foliated by the nonlinear action of …
We consider Hamiltonians associated with 3 dimensional conformally flat spaces, possessing 2, 3 and 4 dimensional isometry algebras. We use the conformal algebra to build additional {\em quadratic} first integrals, thus constructing a large class of superintegrable systems and the complete Poisson algebra of first integrals. We then use the isometries to reduce our systems to 2 degrees of freedom. For each isometry algebra we give a {\em universal} reduction of the corresponding general Hamiltonian. The superintegrable specialisations reduce, in this way, to systems of Darboux-Koenigs type, wh…
Superintegrable systems in two- and three-dimensional spaces of constant curvature have been extensively studied. From these, superintegrable systems in conformally flat spaces can be constructed by Staeckel transform. In this paper a method developed to establish the superintegrability of the Tremblay-Turbiner-Winternitz system in two dimensions is extended to higher dimensions and a superintegrable system on a non-conformally-flat four-dimensional space is found. In doing so, curvature corrections to the corresponding classical potential are found to be necessary. It is found that some subal…
The explicit solvability of quantum superintegrable systems is due to symmetry, but the symmetry is often "hidden". The symmetry generators of 2nd order superintegrable systems in 2 dimensions close under commutation to define quadratic algebras, a generalization of Lie algebras. Distinct systems on constant curvature spaces are related by geometric limits, induced by generalized Inönü-Wigner Lie algebra contractions of the symmetry algebras of the underlying spaces. These have physical/geometric implications, such as the Askey scheme for hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials. However, the lim…
The conditions for superintegrable systems in two-dimensional Euclidean space admitting separation of variables in an orthogonal coordinate system and a functionally independent third-order integral are studied. It is shown that only systems that separate in subgroup type coordinates, Cartesian or polar, admit potentials that can be described in terms of nonlinear special functions. Systems separating in parabolic or elliptic coordinated are shown to have potentials with only non-movable singularities.
The invariant classification of superintegrable systems is reviewed and utilized to construct singular limits between the systems. It is shown, by construction, that all superintegrable systems on conformally flat, 3D complex Riemannian manifolds can be obtained from singular limits of a generic system on the sphere. By using the invariant classification, the limits are geometrically motivated in terms of transformations of roots of the classifying polynomials.
A classical (or quantum) second order superintegrable system is an integrable n-dimensional Hamiltonian system with potential that admits 2n-1 functionally independent second order constants of the motion polynomial in the momenta, the maximum possible. Such systems have remarkable properties: multi-integrability and multi-separability, an algebra of higher order symmetries whose representation theory yields spectral information about the Schroedinger operator, deep connections with special functions and with QES systems. Here we announce a complete classification of nondegenerate (i.e., 4-par…
The three dimensional superintegrable systems with quadratic integrals of motion have five functionally independent integrals, one among them is the Hamiltonian. Kalnins, Kress and Miller have proved that in the case of non degenerate potentials there is a sixth quadratic integral, which is linearly independent of the other integrals. The existence of this sixth integral imply that the integrals of motion form a ternary {parafermionic-like} quadratic Poisson algebra with five generators. We show that in all the non degenerate cases (with one exception) there are at least two subalgebras of thr…
A novel Hamiltonian system in n dimensions which admits the maximal number 2n-1 of functionally independent, quadratic first integrals is presented. This system turns out to be the first example of a maximally superintegrable Hamiltonian on an n-dimensional Riemannian space of nonconstant curvature, and it can be interpreted as the intrinsic Smorodinsky-Winternitz system on such a space. Moreover, we provide three different complete sets of integrals in involution and solve the equations of motion in closed form.
We lay out the foundations of the theory of second-order conformal superintegrable systems. Such systems are essentially Laplace equations on a manifold with an added potential: $(Δ_n+V({\bf x}))Ψ=0$. Distinct families of second-order superintegrable Schrödinger (or Helmholtz) systems $(Δ'_n+V'({\bf x}))Ψ=EΨ$ can be incorporated into a single Laplace equation. There is a deep connection between most of the special functions of mathematical physics, these Laplace conformally superintegrable systems and their conformal symmetry algebras. Using the theory of the Laplace systems, we show that the …
An infinite family of classical superintegrable Hamiltonians defined on the N-dimensional spherical, Euclidean and hyperbolic spaces are shown to have a common set of (2N-3) functionally independent constants of the motion. Among them, two different subsets of N integrals in involution (including the Hamiltonian) can always be explicitly identified. As particular cases, we recover in a straightforward way most of the superintegrability properties of the Smorodinsky-Winternitz and generalized Kepler-Coulomb systems on spaces of constant curvature and we introduce as well new classes of (quasi-m…
We give an algorithm to write down all conformally invariant differential operators acting between scalar functions on Minkowski space. All operators of order k are nonlinear and are functions on a finite family of functionally independent invariant operators of order up to k. The independent differential operators of second order are three and we give an explicit realization of them. The applied technique is based on the jet bundle formalism, algebraization of the the differential operators, group action and dimensional reduction. As an illustration of this method we consider the simpler case…
The Darboux-Koenigs metrics in 2D are an important class of conformally flat, non-constant curvature metrics with a single Killing vector and a pair of quadratic Killing tensors. In [arXiv:1804.06904] it was shown how to derive these by using the conformal symmetries of the 2D Euclidean metric. In this paper we consider the conformal symmetries of the 3D Euclidean metric and similarly derive a large family of conformally flat metrics possessing between 1 and 3 Killing vectors (and therefore not constant curvature), together with a number of quadratic Killing tensors. We refer to these as gener…
In previous work, we have considered Hamiltonians associated with 3 dimensional conformally flat spaces, possessing 2, 3 and 4 dimensional isometry algebras. Previously our Hamiltonians have represented free motion, but here we consider the problem of adding potential functions in the presence of symmetry. Separable potentials in the 3 dimensional space reduce to 3 or 4 parameter potentials for Darboux-Koenigs Hamiltonians. Other 3D coordinate systems reveal connections between Darboux-Koenigs and other well known super-integrable Hamiltonians, such as the Kepler problem and isotropic oscillat…
A quantum sl(2,R) coalgebra is shown to underly the construction of a large class of superintegrable potentials on 3D curved spaces, that include the non-constant curvature analogues of the spherical, hyperbolic and (anti-)de Sitter spaces. The connection and curvature tensors for these "deformed" spaces are fully studied by working on two different phase spaces. The former directly comes from a 3D symplectic realization of the deformed coalgebra, while the latter is obtained through a map leading to a spherical-type phase space. In this framework, the non-deformed limit is identified with the…
Quantum superintegrable systems are solvable eigenvalue problems. Their solvability is due to symmetry, but the symmetry is often "hidden". The symmetry generators of 2nd order superintegrable systems in 2 dimensions close under commutation to define quadratic algebras, a generalization of Lie algebras. Distinct systems and their algebras are related by geometric limits, induced by generalized Inönü-Wigner Lie algebra contractions of the symmetry algebras of the underlying spaces. These have physical/geometric implications, such as the Askey scheme for hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials. Th…
A classical (or quantum) superintegrable system on an n-dimensional Riemannian manifold is an integrable Hamiltonian system with potential that admits 2n-1 functionally independent constants of the motion that are polynomial in the momenta, the maximum number possible. If these constants of the motion are all quadratic, the system is second order superintegrable. Such systems have remarkable properties. Typical properties are that 1) they are integrable in multiple ways and comparison of ways of integration leads to new facts about the systems, 2) they are multiseparable, 3) the second order s…
The rank-$1$ Racah algebra $R(3)$ plays a pivotal role in the theory of superintegrable systems. It appears as the symmetry algebra of the $3$-parameter system on the $2$-sphere from which all second-order conformally flat superintegrable models in $2$D can be obtained by means of suitable limits and contractions. A higher rank generalization of $R(3)$, the so-called rank $n-2$ Racah algebra $R(n)$, has been considered recently and showed to be the symmetry algebra of the general superintegrable model on the $(n-1)$-sphere. In the present work, we show that such an algebraic structure naturall…
We study four particular 3-dimensional natural Hamiltonian systems defined in conformally Euclidean spaces. We prove their superintegrability and we obtain, in the four cases, the maximal number of functionally independent integrals of motion. The two first systems are related to the 3-dimensional isotropic oscillator and the superintegrability is quadratic. The third system is obtained as a continuous deformation of an oscillator with ratio of frequencies 1:1:2 and with three additional nonlinear terms of the form $k_2/x^2$, $k_3/y^2$ and $k_4/z^2$, and the fourth system is obtained as a defo…
The classical Smorodinsky-Winternitz systems on the ND sphere, Euclidean and hyperbolic spaces S^N, E^N and H^N are simultaneously approached starting from the Lie algebras so_k(N+1), which include a parametric dependence on the curvature k. General expressions for the Hamiltonian and its integrals of motion are given in terms of intrinsic geodesic coordinate systems. Each Lie algebra generator gives rise to an integral of motion, so that a set of N(N+1)/2 integrals is obtained. Furthermore, 2N-1 functionally independent ones are identified which, in turn, shows that the well known maximal sup…
The Lie-Poisson algebra so(N+1) and some of its contractions are used to construct a family of superintegrable Hamiltonians on the ND spherical, Euclidean, hyperbolic, Minkowskian and (anti-)de Sitter spaces. We firstly present a Hamiltonian which is a superposition of an arbitrary central potential with N arbitrary centrifugal terms. Such a system is quasi-maximally superintegrable since this is endowed with 2N-3 functionally independent constants of the motion (plus the Hamiltonian). Secondly, we identify two maximally superintegrable Hamiltonians by choosing a specific central potential and…
The N-dimensional Hamiltonian H formed by a curved kinetic term (depending on a function f), a central potential (depending on a function U), a Dirac monopole term, and N centrifugal terms is shown to be quasi-maximally superintegrable for any choice of the functions f and U. This result is proven by making use of the underlying sl(2,R)-coalgebra symmetry of H in order to obtain a set of (2N-3) functionally independent integrals of the motion, that are explicitly given. Such constants of the motion are "universal" since all of them are independent of both f and U. This Hamiltonian describes th…
Construction of superintegrable systems based on Lie algebras have been introduced over the years. However, these approaches depend on explicit realisations, for instance as a differential operators, of the underlying Lie algebra. This is also the case for the construction of their related symmetry algebra which take usually the form of a finitely generated quadratic algebra. These algebras often display structure constants which depend on the central elements and in particular on the Hamiltonian. In this paper, we develop a new approach reexamining the case of the generic superintegrable syst…
A Hamiltonian with two degrees of freedom is said to be superintegrable if it admits three functionally independent integrals of the motion. This property has been extensively studied in the case of two-dimensional spaces of constant (possibly zero) curvature when all the independent integrals are either quadratic or linear in the canonical momenta. In this article the first steps are taken to solve the problem of superintegrability of this type on an arbitrary curved manifold in two dimensions. This is done by examining in detail one of the spaces of revolution found by G. Koenigs. We determi…
The superposition of the Kepler-Coulomb potential on the 3D Euclidean space with three centrifugal terms has recently been shown to be maximally superintegrable [Verrier P E and Evans N W 2008 J. Math. Phys. 49 022902] by finding an additional (hidden) integral of motion which is quartic in the momenta. In this paper we present the generalization of this result to the ND spherical, hyperbolic and Euclidean spaces by making use of a unified symmetry approach that makes use of the curvature parameter. The resulting Hamiltonian, formed by the (curved) Kepler-Coulomb potential together with N cent…
