Ermakov-Lewis invariants and Reid systems

Abstract

"Reid´s mth-order generalized Ermakov systems of nonlinear coupling constant ? are equivalent to an integrable Emden-Fowler equation. The standard Ermakov-Lewis invariant is discussed from this perspective, and a closed formula for the invariant is obtained for the higher-order Reid systems (m ? 3). We also discuss the parametric solutions of these systems of equations through the integration of the Emden-Fowler equation and present an example of a dynamical system for which the invariant is equivalent to the total energy."