Classical Multiseparable Hamiltonian Systems, Superintegrability and Haantjes Geometry

Abstract

We show that the theory of classical Hamiltonian systems admitting separating variables can be formulated in the context of ($\omega ,\mathcal{H}$) structures. They are symplectic manifolds endowed with a compatible Haantjes algebra $\mathcal{H}$, namely an algebra of (1,1)-tensor fields with vanishing Haantjes torsion. A special class of coordinates, called Darboux-Haantjes coordinates, will be constructed from the Haantjes algebras associated with a separable system. These coordinates enable the additive separation of variables of the corresponding Hamilton-Jacobi equation. We shall prove that a multiseparable system admits as many $\omega \mathcal{H}$ structures as separation coordinate systems. In particular, we will show that a large class of multiseparable, superintegrable systems, including the Smorodinsky-Winternitz systems and some physically relevant systems with three degrees of freedom, possesses multiple Haantjes structures.

37 pages, no figures