Contact manifolds, Lagrangian Grassmannians and PDEs

Abstract

Abstract In this paper we review a geometric approach to PDEs. We mainly focus on scalar PDEs in n independent variables and one dependent variable of order one and two, by insisting on the underlying (2n + 1)-dimensional contact manifold and the so-called Lagrangian Grassmannian bundle over the latter. This work is based on a Ph.D course given by two of the authors (G. M. and G. M.). As such, it was mainly designed as a quick introduction to the subject for graduate students. But also the more demanding reader will be gratified, thanks to the frequent references to current research topics and glimpses of higher-level mathematics, found mostly in the last sections.