One of the phenomenal results emerging from string theory is the AdS/CFT correspondence or gauge-gravity duality: In certain cases a theory of gravity is equivalent to a "dual" gauge theory, very similar to the one describing non-gravitational interactions of fundamental subatomic particles. A difficult problem on one side can be mapped to a simpler and solvable problem on the other side using this correspondence. Thus one of the theories can be understood better using the other. The mapping between theories of gravity and gauge theories has led to new approaches to building models of particle physics from string theory. One of the important features to model is the phenomenon of confinement present in strong interaction of particle physics. This feature is not present in the gauge theory arising in the simplest of the examples of the duality. However this N = 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills gauge theory enjoys the property of being integrable, i.e. it can be exactly solved in terms of conserved charges. It is expected that if a more realistic theory turns out to be integrable, solvability of the theory would lead to simple analytical expressions for quantities like masses of the hadrons in the theory. In this thesis we show that the existing models of confinement are all nonintegrable--such simple analytic expressions cannot be obtained. We moreover show that these nonintegrable systems also exhibit features of chaotic dynamical systems, namely, sensitivity to initial conditions and a typical route of transition to chaos. We proceed to study the quantum mechanics of these systems and check whether their properties match those of chaotic quantum systems. Interestingly, the distribution of the spacing of meson excitations measured in the laboratory have been found to match with level-spacing distribution of typical quantum chaotic systems. We find agreement of this distribution with models of confining strong interactions, conforming these as viable models of particle physics arising from string theory.

The Manakov system appears in the physics of optical fibers, as well as in quantum mechanics, as multi-component versions of the Nonlinear Schr\"odinger and the Gross-Pitaevskii equations.Although the Manakov system is completely integrable its solutions are far from being explicit in most cases. However, the Inverse Scattering Transform (IST) can be exploited to obtain asymptotic information about solutions.This thesis will describe the IST of the Manakov system, and its asymptotic behavior at short times. I will compare the focusing and defocusing behavior, numerically and analytically, for squared barrier initial potentials. Finally, I will show that the continuous spectrum gives the dominant contribution at short-times.

We begin this dissertation by presenting a brief introduction to the theory of solitons and integrability (plus some classical methods applied in this field) in Chapter 1, mainly using the Korteweg-de Vries equation as a typical model. At the end of this Chapter a mathematical framework of notations and terminologies is established for the whole dissertation. In Chapter 2, we first introduce two specific matrix spectral problems (with 3 potentials) associated with matrix Lie algebras $\mbox{sl}(2;\mathbb{R})$ and $\mbox{so}(3;\mathbb{R})$, respectively; and then we engender two soliton hierarchies. The computation and analysis of their Hamiltonian structures based on the trace identity affirms that the obtained hierarchies are Liouville integrable. This chapter shows the entire process of how a soliton hierarchy is engendered by starting from a proper matrix spectral problem. In Chapter 3, at first we elucidate the Gauge equivalence among three types $u$-linear Hamiltonian operators, and construct then the corresponding B\"acklund transformations among them explicitly. Next we derive the if-and-only-if conditions under which the linear coupling of the discussed u-linear operators and matrix differential operators with constant coefficients is still Hamiltonian. Very amazingly, the derived conditions show that the resulting Hamiltonian operators is truncated only up to the 3rd differential order. Finally, a few relevant examples of integrable hierarchies are illustrated. In Chapter, 4 we first present a generalized modified Korteweg-de Vries hierarchy. Then for one of the equations in this hierarchy, we build the associated Riemann-Hilbert problems with some equivalent spectral problems. Next, computation of soliton solutions is performed by reducing the Riemann-Hilbert problems to those with identity jump matrix, i.e., those correspond to reflectionless inverse scattering problems. Finally a special reduction of the original matrix spectral problem will be briefly discussed.

Cette thèse est consacrée à l'étude du modèle de Hubbard unidimensionnel et à ses généralisa- tions. Le modèle de Hubbard est un modèle fondamental de la physique de la matière condensée, décrivant des électrons en interaction sur un réseau. Il a une très riche structure physique. Malgré la simplicité de sa construction, le modèle a été appliqué dans différents problèmes comme la supra- conductivité à haute température, le magnétisme et la transition métal-isolant. A une dimension, le modèle de Hubbard est un modèle intégrable très étudié qui a servi de 'laboratoire' pour la physique de la matière condensée. Récemment, les systèmes intégrables quantiques d'une facon générale, et le modèle de Hubbard en particulier, sont apparus d'une manière surprenante dans le contexte de la correspondance AdS/CFT. Le point de contact entre ces domaines est les équations de Bethe : celles de nouveaux modèles intégrables et de modèles existants généralisés sont à priori significatifs dans l'application en dualité AdS/CFT. Dans la premiere partie de la thèse, les notions de base sur l'intégrabilité quantique sont présen- tées : formalisme de la matrice R, équation de Yang-Baxter, chaînes de spin intégrables. Dans la deuxième partie, certaines résultats fondamentaux concernant le modèle de Hubbard sont passés en revue : la solution par l'Ansatz de Bethe coordonnée, les solutions réelles des équations de Lieb-Wu etc. De plus, l'application dans la correspondance AdS/CFT est considérée. Cependant, on trouve que certaines modifications du modèle de Hubbard sont nécessaires pour reproduire les résultats de cette correspondance. Cela est une des motivations principales d'étude de modèles de Hubbard généralisés. La quatrième partie est consacrée aux généralisations du modèle de Hubbard, en se con- centrant sur les cas supersymétriques. La chapitre cinq expose les résultats obtenus dans le cadre de cette thèse sur les modèles de Hubbard généralisés, en particulier, l'Ansatz de Bethe coordonnée ainsi que les solutions réelles des équations de Bethe obtenues dans la limite thermodynamique. Les équations de Bethe obtenues sont différentes de celle de Lieb et Wu par des phases dont la manifesta- tion est un signe encourageant pour l'application en AdS/CFT contexte. Les applications possibles, notamment dans le domaine de la physique de la matière condensée, sont également considérées.

This thesis concerns two types of quantum many-body systems in one dimension exactly solved by special functions: firstly, systems with interactions localised at points and solved by the (coordinate) Bethe ansatz; secondly, systems of Calogero-Sutherland type, as well as certain recently introduced deformations thereof, with eigenfunctions given by natural many-variable generalisations of classical (orthogonal) polynomials. The thesis is divided into two parts. The first provides background and a few complementary results, while the second presents the main results of this thesis in five appended scientific papers. In the first paper we consider two complementary quantum many-body systems with local interactions related to the root systems CN, one with delta-interactions, and the other with certain momentum dependent interactions commonly known as delta-prime interactions. We prove, by construction, that the former is exactly solvable by the Bethe ansatz in the general case of distinguishable particles, and that the latter is similarly solvable only in the case of bosons or fermions. We also establish a simple strong/weak coupling duality between the two models and elaborate on their physical interpretations. In the second paper we consider a well-known four-parameter family of local interactions in one dimension. In particular, we determine all such interactions leading to a quantum many-body system of distinguishable particles exactly solvable by the Bethe ansatz. We find that there are two families of such systems: the first is described by a one-parameter deformation of the delta-interaction model, while the second features a particular one-parameter combination of the delta and the delta-prime interactions. In papers 3-5 we construct and study particular series representations for the eigenfunctions of a family of Calogero-Sutherland models naturally associated with the classical (orthogonal) polynomials. In our construction, the eigenfunctions are given by linear combinations of certain symmetric polynomials generalising the so-called Schur polynomials, with explicit and rather simple coefficients. In paper 5 we also generalise certain of these results to the so-called deformed Calogero-Sutherland operators. / QC 20100712

This work focuses on three nonlinear relativistic equations: the symmetric Chiral field equation, Einstein's field equation for metrics with two commuting Killing vectors and Einstein's field equation for diagonal metrics that depend on three variables. The symmetric Chiral field equation is studied using the Zakharov-Mikhailov transform, with which its infinitely many local conservation laws are derived and its solitons on diagonal backgrounds are studied. It is also proven that it is equivalent to a novel equation that poses a fascinating similarity to the Sinh-Gordon equation. For the 1+1 Einstein equation the Belinski-Zakharov transformation is explored. It is used to derive explicit formula for N gravitational solitons on arbitrary diagonal background. In particular, the method is used to derive gravitational solitons on the Einstein-Rosen background. The similarities and differences between the attributes of the solitons of the symmetric Chiral field equation and those of the 1+1 Einstein equation are emphasized, and their origin is pointed out. For the 1+2 Einstein equation, new equations describing diagonal metrics are derived and their compatibility is proven. Different gravitational waves are studied that naturally extend the class of Bondi-Pirani-Robinson waves. It is further shown that the Bondi-Pirani-Robinson waves are stable with respect to perturbations of the spacetime. Their stability is closely related to the stability of the Schwarzschild black hole and the relation between the two allows to conjecture about the stability of a wide range of gravitational phenomena. Lastly, a new set of equations that describe weak gravitational waves is derived. This new system of equations is closely and fundamentally connected with the nonlinear Schrödinger equation and can be properly called the nonlinear Schrödinger-Einstein equations. A few preliminary solutions are constructed.

Nous explorons la structure des vides dans une déformation massive de la théorie de Yang-Mills maximalement supersymétrique en quatre dimensions. Sur un espace-temps topologiquement trivial, la théorie des orbites nilpotentes dans les algèbres de Lie rend possible le calcul exact de l'indice de Witten. Nous en donnons les fonctions génératrices pour les algèbres classiques, et recourons à un calcul explicite pour les exceptionnelles. Après compactification sur un cercle, un lien entre les théories de jauge supersymétriques et les systèmes intégrables est exploitable pour réduire la chasse aux vides à une extrémisation du hamiltonien de Calogero-Moser elliptique twisté. Une analyse soigneuse des propriétés globales du groupe de jauge et des opérateurs de ligne est nécessaire pour obtenir un accord parfait. En combinant exploration numérique sur ordinateur et contrôle analytique grâce à la théorie des formes modulaires, nous exhibons la structure des vides massifs pour des algèbres de rang petit, et mettons en évidence de nouvelles propriétés modulaires. Nous montrons que des branches de vides de masse nulle existent, et nous en donnons la structure exacte pour les algèbres de rang deux. / We investigate the vacuum structure of a massive deformation of the maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills gauge theory in four dimensions. When the topology of spacetime is trivial, the Witten index can be computed exactly for any gauge group using the theory of nilpotent orbits in Lie algebras. We provide generating functions for classical algebras and an explicit calculation for the exceptional ones. Upon compactification on a circle, one can use a bridge between supersymmetric gauge theories and complex integrable systems to reduce the analysis of vacua to the search of extrema of the twisted elliptic Calogero-Moser Hamiltonian. A careful inspection of global properties of the gauge group and line operators are needed to reach total agreement. Using a combination of numerical exploration on a computer and analytical control through the theory of modular forms, we determine the structure of massive vacua for low-rank gauge algebras and exhibit new modular properties. We also show that massless branches of vacua can exist, and provide an analytic description for rank two gauge algebras.

This dissertation revolves around various mathematical aspects of nonlinear wave motion in viscoelasticity and free surface flows. The introduction is devoted to the physical derivation of the stress-strain constitutive relations from the first principles of Newtonian mechanics and is accessible to a broad audience. This derivation is not necessary for the analysis carried out in the rest of the thesis, however, is very useful to connect the different-looking partial differential equations (PDEs) investigated in each subsequent chapter. In the second chapter we investigate a multi-dimensional scalar wave equation with memory for the motion of a viscoelastic material described by the most general linear constitutive law between the stress, strain and their rates of change. The model equation is rewritten as a system of first-order linear PDEs with relaxation and the well-posedness of the Cauchy problem is established. In the third chapter we consider the Euler equations describing the evolution of a perfect, incompressible, irrotational fluid with a free surface. We focus on the Hamiltonian description of surface waves and obtain a recursion relation which allows to expand the Hamiltonian in powers of wave steepness valid to arbitrary order and in any dimension. In the case of pure gravity waves in a two-dimensional flow there exists a symplectic coordinate transformation that eliminates all cubic terms and puts the Hamiltonian in a Birkhoff normal form up to order four due to the unexpected cancellation of the coefficients of all fourth order non-generic resonant terms. We explain how to obtain higher-order vanishing coefficients. Finally, using the properties of the expansion kernels we derive a set of nonlinear evolution equations for unidirectional gravity waves propagating on the surface of an ideal fluid of infinite depth and show that they admit an exact traveling wave solution expressed in terms of Lambert’s W-function. The only other known deep fluid surface waves are the Gerstner and Stokes waves, with the former being exact but rotational whereas the latter being approximate and irrotational. Our results yield a wave that is both exact and irrotational, however, unlike Gerstner and Stokes waves, it is complex-valued.

Physics provides new, tantalizing problems that we solve by developing and implementing innovative and effective geometric tools in nonlinear algebra. The techniques we employ also rely on numerical and symbolic computations performed with computer algebra. First, we study solutions to the Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation that arise from singular curves. The Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation is a partial differential equation describing nonlinear wave motion whose solutions can be built from an algebraic curve. Such a surprising connection established by Krichever and Shiota also led to an entirely new point of view on a classical problem in algebraic geometry known as the Schottky problem. To explore the connection with curves with at worst nodal singularities, we define the Hirota variety, which parameterizes KP solutions arising from such curves. Studying the geometry of the Hirota variety provides a new approach to the Schottky problem. We investigate it for irreducible rational nodal curves, giving a partial solution to the weak Schottky problem in this case. Second, we formulate questions from scattering amplitudes in a broader context using very affine varieties and D-module theory. The interplay between geometry and combinatorics in particle physics indeed suggests an underlying, coherent mathematical structure behind the study of particle interactions. In this thesis, we gain a better understanding of mathematical objects, such as moduli spaces of point configurations and generalized Euler integrals, for which particle physics provides concrete, non-trivial examples, and we prove some conjectures stated in the physics literature. Finally, we study linear spaces of symmetric matrices, addressing questions motivated by algebraic statistics, optimization, and enumerative geometry. This includes giving explicit formulas for the maximum likelihood degree and studying tangency problems for quadric surfaces in projective space from the point of view of real algebraic geometry.

Yangian symmetric correlators provide a tool to investigate integrability features of QCD at high energies. We discuss the kernel of the equation of perturbative Regge asymptotics, the kernels of the evolution equation of parton distributions, Born scattering amplitudes and coupling renormalization.