Using Algebraic Geometry

In recent years, the discovery of new algorithms for dealing with polynomial equations, coupled with their implementation on fast inexpensive computers, has sparked a minor revolution in the study and practice of algebraic geometry. These algorithmic methods have also given rise to some exciting new applications of algebraic geometry. This book illustrates the many uses of algebraic geometry, highlighting some of the more recent applications of Gröbner bases and resultants.

These notes are based on lectures given in the semmar on "Coding Theory and Algebraic Geometry" held at Schloss Mickeln, Diisseldorf, November 16-21, 1987. In 1982 Tsfasman, Vladut and Zink, using algebraic geometry and ideas of Goppa, constructed a seqeunce of codes that exceed the Gilbert-Varshamov bound. The result was considered sensational.

"Control theory represents an attempt to codify, in mathematical terms, the principles and techniques used in the analysis and design of control systems. Algebraic geometry may, in an elementary way, be viewed as the study of the structure and properties of the solutions of systems of algebraic equations. The aim of this book is to provide access to the methods of algebraic geometry for engineers and applied scientists through the motivated context of control theory" .* The development which culminated with this volume began over twenty-five years ago with a series of lectures at the control group of the Lund Institute of Technology in Sweden. I have sought throughout to strive for clarity, often using constructive methods and giving several proofs of a particular result as well as many examples. The first volume dealt with the simplest control systems (i.e., single input, single output linear time-invariant systems) and with the simplest algebraic geometry (i.e., affine algebraic geometry).

This book treats the general theory of Poisson structures and integrable systems on affine varieties in a systematic way. Special attention is drawn to algebraic completely integrable systems. Several integrable systems are constructed and studied in detail and a few applications of integrable systems to algebraic geometry are worked out. In the second edition some of the concepts in Poisson geometry are clarified by introducting Poisson cohomology; the Mumford systems are constructed from the algebra of pseudo-differential operators, which clarifies their origin; a new explanation of the multi Hamiltonian structure of the Mumford systems is given by using the loop algebra of sl(2); and finally Goedesic flow on SO(4) is added to illustrate the linearizatin algorith and to give another application of integrable systems to algebraic geometry.