What is wrong with the Hausdorff measure in Finsler spaces

We construct a class of Finsler metrics in three-dimensional space such that all their geodesics are lines, but not all planes are extremal for their Hausdorff area functionals. This shows that if the Hausdorff measure is used as notion of volume on Finsler spaces, then totally geodesic submanifolds are not necessarily minimal, filling results such as those of Ivanov [On two-dimensional minimal fillings, St. Petersburg Math. J. 13 (2002) 17-25] do not hold, and integral-geometric formulas do not exist. On the other hand, using the Holmes-Thompson definition of volume, we prove a general Crofton formula for Finsler spaces and give an easy proof that their totally geodesic hypersurfaces are minimal.     

Minimality of totally geodesic submanifolds in Finsler geometry

Using the symplectic definition of the Holmes-Thompson volume we prove that totally geodesic submanifolds of a Finsler manifold are minimal for this volume. Thanks to well suited technics the minimality of totally geodesic hypersurfaces (see álvarez Paiva and Berck in Adv Math 204(2):647–663, 2006) and 2-dimensional totally geodesic surfaces (see álvarez Paiva and Berck in Adv Math 204(2):647–663, 2006, Ivanov in Algebra i Analiz 13(1)26–38, 2001) had already been proved. However the corresponding statement for the Hausdorff measure is known to be wrong even in the simplest case of totally geodesic 2-dimensional surfaces in a 3-dimensional Finsler manifold (see álvarez Paiva and Berck in Adv Math 204(2):647–663, 2006).     

Plateau’s problem in Finsler 3-space

We explore a connection between the Finslerian area functional based on the Busemann–Hausdorff-volume form, and well-investigated Cartan functionals to solve Plateau’s problem in Finsler 3-space, and prove higher regularity of solutions. Free and semi-free geometric boundary value problems, as well as the Douglas problem in Finsler space can be dealt with in the same way. We also provide a simple isoperimetric inequality for minimal surfaces in Finsler spaces.     

Invariant Metrizability and Projective Metrizability on Lie Groups and Homogeneous Spaces

In this paper, we study the invariant metrizability and projective metrizability problems for the special case of the geodesic spray associated to the canonical connection of a Lie group. We prove that such canonical spray is projectively Finsler metrizable if and only if it is Riemann metrizable. This result means that this structure is rigid in the sense that considering left invariant metrics, the potentially much larger class of projective Finsler metrizable canonical sprays, corresponding to Lie groups, coincides with the class of Riemann metrizable canonical sprays. Generalisation of these results for geodesic orbit spaces are given.

     

Finsler warped product metrics with special Riemannian curvature properties

One of the fundamental problems in Finsler geometry is to study Finsler metrics of constant(or scalar) curvature. In this paper, we refine and improve Chen-Shen-Zhao equations characterizing Finsler warped product metrics of scalar flag curvature. In particular, we find equations that characterize Finsler warped product metrics of constant flag curvature. Then we improve the Chen-Shen-Zhao result on characterizing Einstein Finsler warped product metrics. As its application we construct explicitly many new warped product Douglas metrics of constant Ricci curvature by using known locally projectively flat spherically symmetric metrics of constant flag curvature.     

Multiple closed geodesics on 3-spheres

This paper is devoted to a study on closed geodesics on Finsler and Riemannian spheres. We call a prime closed geodesic on a Finsler manifold rational, if the basic normal form decomposition (cf. [Y. Long, Bott formula of the Maslov-type index theory, Pacific J. Math. 187 (1999) 113-149]) of its linearized Poincaré map contains no 2×2 rotation matrix with rotation angle which is an irrational multiple of π, or irrational otherwise. We prove that if there exists only one prime closed geodesic on a d-dimensional irreversible Finsler sphere with d?2, it cannot be rational. Then we further prove that there exist always at least two distinct prime closed geodesics on every irreversible Finsler 3-dimensional sphere. Our method yields also at least two geometrically distinct closed geodesics on every reversible Finsler as well as Riemannian 3-dimensional sphere. We prove also such results hold for all compact simply connected 3-dimensional manifolds with irreversible or reversible Finsler as well as Riemannian metrics.     

The ratio of the length of the unit circle to the area of the unit disc in Minkowski planes

In their paper ``An Introduction to Finsler Geometry,' J. C. Alvarez and C. Duran asked if there are other Minkowski planes besides the Euclidean for which the ratio of the Minkowski length of the unit ``circle' to the Holmes-Thompson area of the unit disc equals 2. In this paper we show that this ratio is greater than 2, and that the ratio 2 is achieved only for Minkowski planes that are affine equivalent to the Euclidean plane. In other words, the ratio is 2 only when the unit ``circle' is an ellipse.

     

The Chebyshev norm on the lie algebra of the motion group of a compact homogeneous Finsler manifold

In this paper, we prove that the natural metric on the connected component of the unit in the (Lie) motion group of a compact Finsler manifold supplied with its inner metric generates a bi-invariant inner Finsler metric. The latter is defined by the invariant Chebyshev norm on the Lie algebra of generators of 1-parameter motion subgroups on the manifold. This norm is equal to the maximal value of the generator’s length. A δ-homogeneous manifold is characterized by the condition that the canonical projection of the component onto the manifold is a submetry with respect to their inner metrics. The Chebyshev norms for the Euclidean spheres, the Berger spheres, and homogeneous Riemannian metrics on the 3-dimensional complex projective space are found. This gives interesting examples of invariant norms on Lie algebras and a new method for the separating of delta-homogeneous but not normal metrics. Translated from Sovremennaya Matematika i Ee Prilozheniya (Contemporary Mathematics and Its Applications), Vol. 60, Algebra, 2008.     

Strongly convex weakly complex Berwald metrics and real Landsberg metrics

Under the assumption that' is a strongly convex weakly Khler Finsler metric on a complex manifold M, we prove that F is a weakly complex Berwald metric if and only if F is a real Landsberg metric.This result together with Zhong(2011) implies that among the strongly convex weakly Kahler Finsler metrics there does not exist unicorn metric in the sense of Bao(2007). We also give an explicit example of strongly convex Kahler Finsler metric which is simultaneously a complex Berwald metric, a complex Landsberg metric,a real Berwald metric, and a real Landsberg metric.     

On conformal complex Finsler metrics

In this paper, we study conformal transformations in complex Finsler geometry. We first prove that two weakly Kähler Finsler metrics cannot be conformal. Moreover, we give a necessary and sufficient condition for a strongly pseudoconvex complex Finsler metric to be locally conformal weakly Kähler Finsler. Finally, we discuss conformal transformations of a strongly pseudoconvex complex Finsler metric, which preserve the geodesics, holomorphic S curvatures and mean Landsberg tensors.

     

On Birkhoff Theorems for Lagrangian invariant tori with closed orbits

We show that a C¹ torus that is homologous to the zero section, invariant by the geodesic flow of a symmetric Finsler metric in T², and possesses closed orbits is a graph of the canonical projection. This result, together with the result obtained by Bialy in 1989 for continuous invariant tori without closed orbits of symmetric Finsler metrics in T², shows that the second Birkhoff Theorem holds for C¹ Lagrangian invariant tori of symmetric Finsler metrics in the two torus. We also study the first Birkhoff Theorem for continuous invariant tori of Finsler metrics in T² and give some sufficient conditions for a continuous minimizing torus with closed orbits to be a graph of the canonical projection. Partially supported by CNPq, FAPERJ, TWAS     

Projectively related complex Finsler metrics

In this paper we introduce in study the projectively related complex Finsler metrics. We prove the complex versions of the Rapcsák’s theorem and characterize the weakly Kähler and generalized Berwald projectively related complex Finsler metrics. The complex version of Hilbert’s Fourth Problem is also pointed out. As an application, the projectiveness of a complex Randers metric is described.     

Finsler几何中体积形式与子流形

本文对一般的Finsler体积元讨论了Finsler子流形几何,证明了关于任意Finsler体积元, Minkowski空间中不存在闭定向的极小子流形,关键在于对任意的Finsler体积元,沈忠民的方法仍然有效．对于特殊Randers空间中的子流形,给出了其体积增长估计,从而得到了Randers空间可以极小浸入到特殊Randers空间的一个必要条件．     

On the volume of the projectivized tangent bundle in a complex Finsler manifold

We prove that the volume of PT _z ^{1, 0} M, calculated with respect to a Kähler metric induced by a complex Finsler structure, is a constant. This contrasts sharply with the situation in real Finsler geometry, where the volume of unit tangent sphere at each point x in a real Finsler manifold is in general a function of x. Furthermore, we point out that different metrics have different constants in general.     

On dually flat Finsler metrics

In this paper, we study the locally dually flat Finsler metrics which arise from information geometry. An equivalent condition of locally dually flat Finsler metrics is given. We find a new method to construct locally dually flat Finsler metrics by using a projectively flat Finsler metric under the condition that the projective factor is also a Finsler metric. Finally, we find that many known Finsler metrics are locally dually flat Finsler metrics determined by some projectively flat Finsler metrics.     

On the non-Riemannian quantity H of a Finsler metric

One of fundamental problems in Finsler geometry is to establish some delicate equations between Riemannian invariants and non-Riemannian invariants. Inspired by results due to Akbar-Zadeh etc., this note establishes a new fundamental equation between non-Riemannian quantity H and Riemannian quantities on a Finsler manifold. As its application, we show that all R-quadratic Finsler metrics have vanishing non-Riemannian invariant H generalizing result previously only known in the case of Randers metric.     

Homogeneous geodesics and the critical points of the restricted Finsler function

In this paperwe study the set of homogeneous geodesics of a left-invariant Finsler metric on Lie groups. We first give a simple criterion that characterizes geodesic vectors. We extend J. Szenthe’s result on homogeneous geodesics to left-invariant Finsler metrics. This result gives a relation between geodesic vectors and restricted Minkowski norm in Finsler setting. We show that if a compact connected and semisimple Lie group has rank greater than 1, then for every left-invariant Finsler metric there are infinitely many homogeneous geodesics through the identity element.     

A class of Finsler metrics of scalar flag curvature

It is known that every locally projectively flat Finsler metric is of scalar flag curvature. Conversely, it may not be true. In this paper, for a certain class of Finsler metrics, we prove that it is locally projectively flat if and only if it is of scalar flag curvature. Moreover, we establish a class of new non-trivial examples.     

On dually flat square metrics

Square metrics arise from several classification problems in Finsler geometry. They are the rare Finsler metrics to be of excellent geometry properties. It is proved that every non-Riemannian dually flat square metric must be Minkowskian if the dimension ≥3. We also obtain a rigidity result in dually flat Matsumoto metrics.     

On Einstein Matsumoto metrics

Einstein metrics are solutions to Einstein field equation in General Relativity containing the Ricci-flat metrics. Einstein Finsler metrics which represent a non-Riemannian stage for the extensions of metric gravity, provide an interesting source of geometric issues and the (α,β)-metric is an important class of Finsler metrics appearing iteratively in physical studies. It is proved that every n-dimensional (n≥3) Einstein Matsumoto metric is a Ricci-flat metric with vanishing S-curvature. The main result can be regarded as a second Schur type Lemma for Matsumoto metrics.