Paper detail

Gradient flows in the normal and Kähler metrics and triple bracket generated metriplectic systems

The dynamics of gradient and Hamiltonian flows with particular application to flows on adjoint orbits of a Lie group and the extension of this setting to flows on a loop group are discussed. Different types of gradient flows that arise from different metrics including the so-called normal metric on adjoint orbits of a Lie group and the Kähler metric are compared. It is discussed how a Kähler metric can arise from a complex structure induced by the Hilbert transform. Hybrid and metriplectic flows that arise when one has both Hamiltonian and gradient components are examined. A class of metriplectic systems that is generated by completely antisymmetric triple brackets is described and for finite-dimensional systems given a Lie algebraic interpretation. A variety of explicit examples of the several types of flows are given.