Noether’s theorem for variational problems of Herglotz type with real and complex order fractional derivatives

Abstract

A variational principle of Herglotz type with a Lagrangian that depends on fractional derivatives of both real and complex orders is formulated, and the invariance of this principle under the action of a local group of symmetries is determined. By the Noether theorem the conservation law for the corresponding fractional Euler–Lagrange equation is obtained. A sequence of approximations of a fractional Euler–Lagrange equation by systems of integer order equations is used for the construction of a sequence of conservation laws which, with certain assumptions, weakly converge to the one for the basic Herglotz variational principle. Results are illustrated by two examples.