Lie-Bäcklund symmetry and non-invariant solutions of nonlinear evolution equations

Abstract

We study the symmetry reduction of nonlinear partial differential equations which are used for describing diffusion processes in nonhomogeneous medium. We find ansatzes reducing partial differential equations to systems of ordinary differential equations. The ansatzes are constructed by using operators of Lie-Bäcklund symmetry of third order ordinary differential equation. The method gives the possibility to find solutions which cannot be obtained by virtue of classical Lie method. Such solutions have been constructed for nonlinear diffusion equations which are invariant with respect to one-parameter, two-parameter and three-parameter Lie groups of point transformations.