Ebook: Harmonic maps and integrable systems

Explains the ideas involved in applying the theory of integrable systems to finding harmonic maps and related geometric objects. Harmonic maps, which are maps between Riemannian or pseudo- Riemannian manifolds that extremize a natural energy integral, are applied in the theory of minimal an constant mean curvature surfaces, and as the non-linear sigma and chiral models of particle physics. An introduction for graduate students and mathematicians, and suitable as a supplement or core text for a graduate course.