Bianchi-IX, Darboux–Halphen and Chazy–Ramanujan

Abstract

Bianchi-IX four metrics are SU(2) invariant solutions of vacuum Einstein equation, for which the connection-wise self-dual case describes the Euler top, while the curvature-wise self-dual case yields the Ricci flat classical Darboux–Halphen system. It is possible to see such a solution exhibiting Ricci flow. The classical Darboux–Halphen system is a special case of the generalized one that arises from a reduction of the self-dual Yang–Mills equation and the solutions to the related homogeneous quadratic differential equations provide the desired metric. A few integrable and near-integrable dynamical systems related to the Darboux–Halphen system and occurring in the study of Bianchi-IX gravitational instanton have been listed as well. We explore in details whether self-duality implies integrability.