Nonlocal symmetry, optimal systems, and explicit solutions of the mKdV equation

The nonlocal symmetry of the mKdV equation is obtained from the known Lax pair; it is successfully localized to Lie point symmetries in the enlarged space by introducing suitable auxiliary dependent variables. For the closed prolongation of the nonlocal symmetry, the details of the construction for a one-dimensional optimal system are presented. Furthermore, using the associated vector fields of the obtained symmetry, we give the reductions by the one-dimensional sub-algebras and the explicit analytic interaction solutions between cnoidal waves and kink solitary waves, which provide a way to study the interactions among these types of ocean waves. For some of the interesting solutions, the figures are given to show their properties.