Unifying scheme for generating discrete integrable systems including inhomogeneous and hybrid models

A unifying scheme based on an ancestor model is proposed for generating a wide range of integrable discrete and continuum as well as inhomogeneous and hybrid models. They include in particular discrete versions of sine-Gordon, Landau-Lifshitz, nonlinear Schr\"odinger (NLS), derivative NLS equations, Liouville model, (non-)relativistic Toda chain, Ablowitz-Ladik model etc. Our scheme introduces the possibility of building a novel class of integrable hybrid systems including multi-component models like massive Thirring, discrete self trapping, two-mode derivative NLS by combining different descendant models. We also construct inhomogeneous systems like Gaudin model including new ones like variable mass sine-Gordon, variable coefficient NLS, Ablowitz-Ladik, Toda chains etc. keeping their flows isospectral, as opposed to the standard approach. All our models are generated from the same ancestor Lax operator (or its q -> 1 limit) and satisfy the classical Yang-Baxter equation sharing the same r-matrix. This reveals an inherent universality in these diverse systems, which become explicit at their action-angle level.