An extension of the Dirac and Gotay-Nester theories of constraints for Dirac dynamical systems

Abstract

This paper extends the Gotay-Nester and the Dirac theories of constrained systems in order to deal with Dirac dynamical systems in the integrable case. Integrable Dirac dynamical systems are viewed as constrained systems where the constraint submanifolds are foliated. The cases considered usually in the literature correspond to a trivial foliation, with only one leaf. A Constraint Algorithm for Dirac dynamical systems (CAD), which extends the Gotay-Nester algorithm, is developed. Evolution equations are written using a Dirac bracket adapted to the foliations and an adapted total energy. The interesting example of LC circuits is developed in detail. The paper emphasizes the point of view that Dirac and Gotay-Nester theories are, in a certain sense, dual and that using a combination of results from both theories may have advantages in dealing with a given example, rather than using systematically one or the other.