The area of inverse scattering transform method or soliton theory has evolved over the past two decades in a vast variety of exciting new algebraic and analytic directions and has found numerous new applications. Methods and applications range from quantum group theory and exactly solvable statistical models to random matrices, random permutations, and number theory. The theory of isomonodromic deformations of systems of differential equations with rational coefficents, and mostnotably, the related apparatus of the Riemann-Hilbert problem, underlie the analytic side of this striking development. The contributions in this volume are based on lectures given by leading experts at the CRM workshop (Montreal, Canada). Included are both survey articles and more detailed expositionsrelating to the theory of isomonodromic deformations, the Riemann-Hilbert problem, and modern applications. The first part of the book represents the mathematical aspects of isomonodromic deformations; the second part deals mostly with the various appearances of isomonodromic deformations and Riemann-Hilbert methods in the theory of exactly solvable quantum field theory and statistical mechanical models, and related issues. The book elucidates for the first time in the current literature theimportant role that isomonodromic deformations play in the theory of integrable systems and their applications to physics.

Based on a series of graduate lectures, this book provides an introduction to algebraic geometric methods in the theory of complex linear differential equations. Starting from basic notions in complex algebraic geometry, it develops some of the classical problems of linear differential equations. It ends with applications to recent research questions related to mirror symmetry. The fundamental tool used is that of a vector bundle with connection. The book includes complete proofs, and applications to recent research questions. Aimed at graduate students and researchers, the book assumes some familiarity with basic complex algebraic geometry.

In 438 alphabetically-arranged essays, this work provides a useful overview of the core mathematical background for nonlinear science, as well as its applications to key problems in ecology and biological systems, chemical reaction-diffusion problems, geophysics, economics, electrical and mechanical oscillations in engineering systems, lasers and nonlinear optics, fluid mechanics and turbulence, and condensed matter physics, among others.

A thorough introduction to tau functions, from the basics through to the most recent results, with applications in mathematical physics.

The theory of soliton equations and integrable systems has developed rapidly during the last 30 years with numerous applications in mechanics and physics. For a long time, books in this field have not been written but the flood of papers was overwhelming: many hundreds, maybe thousands of them. All this output followed one single work by Gardner, Green, Kruskal, and Mizura on the Korteweg-de Vries equation (KdV), which had seemed to be merely an unassuming equation of mathematical physics describing waves in shallow water. Besides its obvious practical use, this theory is attractive also because it satisfies the aesthetic need in a beautiful formula which is so inherent to mathematics. The second edition is up-to-date and differs from the first one considerably. One third of the book (five chapters) is completely new and the rest is refreshed and edited. Contents: Integrable Systems Generated by Linear Differential n th Order Operators; Hamiltonian Structures; Hamiltonian Structure of the GD Hierarchies; Modified KdV and GD. The KupershmidtOCoWilson Theorem; The KP Hierarchy; Baker Function, a-Function; Additional Symmetries, String Equation; Grassmannian. Algebraic-Geometrical Krichever Solutions; Matrix First-Order Operator, AKNS-D Hierarchy; Generalization of the AKNS-D Hierarchy: Single-Pole and Multi-Pole Matrix Hierarchies; Isomonodromic Deformations and the Most General Matrix Hierarchy; Tau Functions of Matrix Hierarchies; KP, Modified KP, Constrained KP, Discrete KP, and q -KP; Another Chain of KP Hierarchies and Integrals Over Matrix Varieties; Transformational Properties of a Differential Operator under Diffeomorphisms and Classical W -Algebras; Further Restrictions of the KP, Stationary Equations; Stationary Equations of the Matrix Hierarchy; Field Lagrangian and Hamiltonian Formalism; Further Examples and Applications. Readership: Applied mathematicians and mathematical physicists."