Discrete Spinning Tops -- Difference equations for Euler, Lagrange, and Kowalevski tops

Abstract

Several methods of time discretization are examined for integrable rigid body models, such as Euler, Lagrange, and Kowalevski tops. Problems of Lax-Moser pairs, conservation laws, and explicit solver algorithms are discussed. New discretization method is proposed for Kowalevski top, which have properties ${\mathbf{\gamma }}^2=1$, and the Kowalevski integral $|\xi {|}^2=\text{const.}$ satisfied exactly. Numerical tests are done successfully.

13 pages, 4 figures