Open Access Original research

Lie symmetry analysis of the two-dimensional generalized Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation

Mehdi Nadjafikhah1* and Fatemeh Ahangari2

Author Affiliations

1 Department of Mathematics, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Iran

2 School of Mathematics, Iran University of Science and Technology, Iran

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Mathematical Sciences 2012, 6:3 doi:10.1186/2251-7456-6-3

Published: 28 May 2012

Abstract

Purpose

In this paper, a detailed analysis of an important nonlinear model system, the two dimensional generalized Kuramoto-Sivashinsky (2D gKS) equation, is presented by group analysis.

Methods

The basic Lie symmetry method is applied in order to determine the general symmetry group of our analyzed nonlinear model.

Results

The symmetry group of the equation and some results related to the algebraic structure of the Lie algebra of symmetries are obtained. Also, a complete classification of the subalgebras of the symmetry algebra is resulted.

Conclusions

It is proved that the Lie algebra of symmetries admits no three dimensional subalgebra. Mainly, all the group invariant solutions and the similarity reduced equations associated to the infinitesimal symmetries are obtained.

Keywords:
Two dimensional generalized Kuramoto-Sivanshsky (2D gKS) equation; Lie symmetry method; Invariant solutions; Optimal system; Similarity reduced equations