Existence of Cartesian vector fields for constrained Lagrangian systems

Let \textscQ\textsc{Q} be the configuration space, let λk\lambda_k be the functions defining the system, and let

Λj=k=1Najkλk,ajk=akj,\Lambda_j=\sum_{k=1}^N a_{jk}\lambda_k,\qquad a_{jk}=-a_{kj},

for j=M+1,,Nj=M+1,\ldots,N. A vector field is called Cartesian if it generates the first-order system x˙=v(x)\dot{\textbf{x}}=\textbf{v}(x) under the conditions Λj(x)=0\Lambda_j(x)=0, and it is Cartesian equivalent if a nonzero function κ\kappa exists such that κv˘\kappa\breve{\textbf{v}} is Cartesian. Cartesian-vector-field existence conjecture. There are solutions of the equations Λj=0\Lambda_j=0 for j=M+1,,Nj=M+1,\ldots,N which generate a Cartesian or Cartesian-equivalent vector field that completely describes the behavior of the constrained Lagrangian system. This asserts the existence of solutions to the first-order partial differential equations defining the constraints, but the source does not specify conditions guaranteeing such solutions or establish their general existence.

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Primary source

Rafael Ramírez and Natalia sadovskaia, “Cartesian approach for constrained mechanical systems”, arXiv:1011.3251 (2010).

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