On a class of Ricci-flat Finsler metrics in Finsler geometry

In this paper, we study a class of Finsler metrics defined by a Riemannian metric and a one-form on a manifold. We completely determine the local structure of Ricci-flat metrics in this class which are also of Douglas type.     

Canonical connections of Finsler metrics and Finslerian connections on Riemannian metrics

A concept of canonical connection of a Finsler metric is developed. Connections that are compatible with Finsler metrics are compared with the canonical connection itself. They are also compared with the corresponding Cartan connection. A necessary and sufficient condition on metric Finsler connections is given for the metric to be Riemannian. This study unearths different ways in which Finsler geometry could be used to generalize the theory of general relativity.     

On spherically symmetric Finsler metrics of scalar curvature

Spherically symmetric Finsler metrics form a rich class of Finsler metrics. In this paper we find equations that characterize spherically symmetric Finsler metrics of scalar flag curvature. By using these equations, we construct infinitely many non-projectively flat spherically symmetric Finsler metrics of scalar curvature.     

Invariant fourth root Finsler metrics on the Grassmannian manifolds

Fourth root metrics are a special and important class of Finsler metrics, which have been applied to physics. In this paper, we study invariant fourth root Finsler metrics on the Grassmannian manifolds SO(p+q)/SO(p)×SO(q)$SO(p+q)/SO\left(p\right)\times SO\left(q\right)$. By using the results from the theory of invariant polynomials of Lie groups, we obtain a complete classification of such metrics. Further, some invariant 2m$2m$-th root Finsler metrics are also given.     

Mathematical properties of a class of four-dimensional neutral signature metrics

While the Lorentzian and Riemannian metrics for which all polynomial scalar curvature invariants vanish (the VSI property) are well-studied, less is known about the four-dimensional neutral signature metrics with the VSI property. Recently it was shown that the neutral signature metrics belong to two distinct subclasses: the Walker and Kundt metrics. In this paper we have chosen an example from each of the two subcases of the Ricci-flat VSI Walker metrics respectively.To investigate the difference between the metrics we determine the existence of a null, geodesic, expansion-free, shear-free and vorticity-free vector, and classify these spaces using their holonomy algebras. The geometric implications of these algebras are further studied by identifying the recurrent or covariantly constant null vectors, whose existence is required by the holonomy structure in each example. We conclude the paper with a simple example of the equivalence algorithm for these pseudo-Riemannian manifolds, which is the only approach to classification that provides all necessary information to determine equivalence.     

Finsler Spinoptics

The objective of this article is to build up a general theory of geometrical optics for spinning light rays in an inhomogeneous and anisotropic medium modeled on a Finsler manifold. The prerequisites of local Finsler geometry are reviewed together with the main properties of the Cartan connection used in this work. Then, the principles of Finslerian spinoptics are formulated on the grounds of previous work on Riemannian spinoptics, and relying on the generic coadjoint orbits of the Euclidean group. A new presymplectic structure on the indicatrix-bundle is introduced, which gives rise to a foliation that significantly departs from that generated by the geodesic spray, and leads to a specific anomalous velocity, due to the coupling of spin and the Cartan curvature, and related to the optical Hall effect. UMR 6207 du CNRS associée aux Universités d’Aix-Marseille I et II et Université du Sud Toulon-Var; Laboratoire affilié à la FRUMAM-FR2291.     

On the Fefferman class of metrics associated with a three-dimensional CR space

We derive the explicit forms of Fefferman's metric for a Cauchy-Riemann space admitting a solution of the tangential Cauchy-Riemann equation and of the corresponding Weyl tensor. We show that its Petrov type is 0 in the case of the hyperquadric or N in all other cases, and that the Fefferman class of metrics does not contain any nonflat solution of Einstein's vacuum equations with cosmological constant.Work supported in part by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Research Problem CPBP 01.03.     

Finsler relativistic kinematic effects

The Finsler corrections to the equations of the special theory of relativity which follow from the Finsler generalization of the equations of the gravitational field and the equations of motion of matter are calculated.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 8, pp. 41–44, August 1984.     

Finsler and Kaluza-Klein gauge theories

A comparison of Kaluza-Klein and Finsler-type gauge theories is sketched. It is shown that the two can be related by a mapping between fiber spaces which is equivalent to a transformation from one representation of the gauge group to another. The Finsler theory lends itself to an interpretation of the mapping operators as being geometrically similar to Yang-Mills potentials. The equations of motion in this theory contain fields which are comparable to connections instead of curvatures. This gives a new geometrical framework for unified field theories.     

Finsler spaces with Riemannian geodesics

In Finsler spaces the intervalds=F(x ⁱ ,dx ⁱ ) is an arbitrary function of the coordinatesx ⁱ and coordinate incrementsdx ⁱ withF homogeneous of degree one in thedx ⁱ . It is shown that for Riemannian spacesds _R ²=g _ij dx ⁱ dx ⁱ which admit a non trivial covariantly constant tensorH _i .(x ^k ) there is an associated Finsler space with the same geodesic structure. The subset of such Finsler spaces withH _i .(x ^k ) a vector or second rank decomposable tensor is determined.     

Fermat principle in Finsler spacetimes

It is shown that, on a manifold with a Finsler metric of Lorentzian signature, the lightlike geodesics satisfy the following variational principle. Among all lightlike curves from a point q (emission event) to a timelike curve γ (worldline of receiver), the lightlike geodesics make the arrival time stationary. Here “arrival time” refers to a parametrization of the timelike curve γ. This variational principle can be applied (i) to the vacuum light rays in an alternative spacetime theory, based on Finsler geometry, and (ii) to light rays in an anisotropic non-dispersive medium with a general-relativistic spacetime as background.     

On weakly symmetric Finsler spaces

In this paper, we study weakly symmetric Finsler spaces. We first study an existence theorem of weakly symmetric Finsler spaces. Then we study some geometric properties of these spaces and prove that any such space can be written as a coset space of a Lie group with an invariant Finsler metric. Finally we show that each weakly symmetric Finsler space is of Berwald type.     

New cohomogeneity one metrics with Spin(7) holonomy

We construct new explicit non-singular metrics that are complete on non-compact Riemannian 8-manifolds with holonomy Spin(7). One such metric, which we denote by , is complete and non-singular on . The other complete metrics are defined on manifolds with the topology of the bundle of chiral spinors over S⁴, and are denoted by , and . The metrics on and occur in families with a non-trivial parameter. The metric on arises for a limiting value of this parameter, and locally this metric is the same as the one for . The new Spin(7) metrics are asymptotically locally conical (ALC): near infinity they approach a circle bundle with fibres of constant length over a cone whose base is the squashed Einstein metric on . We construct the covariantly constant spinor and calibrating 4-form. We also obtain an L²-normalisable harmonic 4-form for the manifold, and two such 4-forms (of opposite dualities) for the manifold.     

Homogeneous Finsler spaces of negative curvature

We prove that a homogeneous Finsler space with non-positive flag curvature and strictly negative Ricci scalar is a simply connected manifold.     

Exact solution of Teukolsky and Klein-Gordon radial equations in the class of type-D vacuum metrics

Exact solutions are constructed for the Teukolsky and Klein-Gordon equations for type-D asymptotically two-dimensional vacuum metrics in terms of Heun's confluent functions. The problem of coupling solutions written as a series in the vicinities of neighboring singularities is discussed. Approximate coupling equations are obtained which are valid for small values of one of the parameters of Heun's confluent function.Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 10, 13–18, October, 1989.     

Implications of a stochastic microscopic Finsler cosmology

Within the context of supersymmetric space-time (D-particle) foam in string/brane-theory, we discuss a Finsler-induced cosmology and its implications for (thermal) dark matter abundances. This constitutes a truly microscopic model of dynamical space-time, where Finsler geometries arise naturally. The D-particle foam model involves point-like brane defects (D-particles), which provide the topologically non-trivial foamy structures of space-time. The D-particles can capture and emit stringy matter and this leads to a recoil of D-particles. It is indicated how one effect of such a recoil of D-particles is a back-reaction on the space-time metric of Finsler type which is stochastic. We show that such a type of stochastic space-time foam can lead to acceptable cosmologies at late epochs of the Universe, due to the non-trivial properties of the supersymmetric (BPS like) D-particle defects, which are such so as not to affect significantly the Hubble expansion. The restrictions placed on the free parameters of the Finsler type metric are obtained from solving the Boltzmann equation in this background for relic abundances of a Lightest Supersymmetric Particle (LSP) dark matter candidate. It is demonstrated that the D-foam acts as a source for particle production in the Boltzmann equation, thereby leading to enhanced thermal LSP relic abundances relative to those in the Standard ??CDM cosmology. For D-particle masses of order TeV, such effects may be relevant for dark matter searches at colliders. The latter constraints complement those coming from high-energy gamma-ray astronomy on the induced vacuum refractive index that D-foam models entail. We also comment briefly on the production mechanisms of such TeV-mass stringy defects at colliders, which, in view of the current LHC experimental searches, will impose further constraints on their couplings.     

Dragged metrics

We show that the path of any accelerated body in an arbitrary spacetime geometry $g_{\mu \nu }$ can be described as a geodesic in a dragged metric $\hat{q}_{\mu \nu }$ that depends only on the background metric and on the motion of the body. Such procedure allows the interpretation of all kinds of non-gravitational force as modifications of the spacetime metric. This method of effective elimination of the forces by changing the metric of the substratum can be understood as a generalization of the d’Alembert principle applied to all relativistic processes.