Differential geometric mechanisms in Ostrohrads'kyj relativistic   spherical top dynamics
  Some intrinsic tools from the formal theory of variational equations are being demonstrated at work in application to one concrete example of the third-order evolution equation of free relativistic top in three-dimensional space-time. The main goal is to introduce a combined approach consisting in the simultaneous utilization of symmetry principles along with the inverse variational problem considerations in terms of vector-valued differential forms. Next, some simple algorithm of transition between the autonomous variational problem and the variational problem in parametric form is established. The example definitely solved shows no-existence of a globally and intrinsically defined Lagrangian for the Poincar\'e-invariant and well defined unique variational equation in the case in hand. Hamiltonian counterpart is briefly discussed in terms of Poisson bracket. The model appears to provide a generalized canonical description of the quasi-classical spinning particle governed by the Mathisson-Papapetrou equations in flat space-time. 
R. Ya. Matsyuk
physics.class-ph gr-qc math.DG