Lie and Noether symmetries of geodesic equations and collineations

The Lie symmetries of the geodesic equations in a Riemannian space are computed in terms of the special projective group and its degenerates (affine vectors, homothetic vector and Killing vectors) of the metric. The Noether symmetries of the same equations are given in terms of the homothetic and the Killing vectors of the metric. It is shown that the geodesic equations in a Riemannian space admit three linear first integrals and two quadratic first integrals. We apply the results in the case of Einstein spaces, the Schwarzschild spacetime and the Friedman Robertson Walker spacetime. In each case the Lie and the Noether symmetries are computed explicitly together with the corresponding linear and quadratic first integrals.     

On Euler–Arnold equations and totally geodesic subgroups

The geodesic motion on a Lie group equipped with a left or right invariant Riemannian metric is governed by the Euler–Arnold equation. This paper investigates conditions on the metric in order for a given subgroup to be totally geodesic. Results on the construction and characterisation of such metrics are given, especially in the special case of easy totally geodesic submanifolds that we introduce. The setting works both in the classical finite dimensional case, and in the category of infinite dimensional Fréchet–Lie groups, in which diffeomorphism groups are included. Using the framework we give new examples of both finite and infinite dimensional totally geodesic subgroups. In particular, based on the cross helicity, we construct right invariant metrics such that a given subgroup of exact volume preserving diffeomorphisms is totally geodesic.     

Homogeneous geodesics in homogeneous Finsler spaces

In this paper, we study homogeneous geodesics in homogeneous Finsler spaces. We first give a simple criterion that characterizes geodesic vectors. We show that the geodesics on a Lie group, relative to a bi-invariant Finsler metric, are the cosets of the one-parameter subgroups. The existence of infinitely many homogeneous geodesics on the compact semi-simple Lie group is established. We introduce the notion of a naturally reductive homogeneous Finsler space. As a special case, we study homogeneous geodesics in homogeneous Randers spaces. Finally, we study some curvature properties of homogeneous geodesics. In particular, we prove that the S-curvature vanishes along the homogeneous geodesics.     

The Light Tracks in the Optical Fibers with Two Types of Parabolic Refractive Indices

ＴｈｅＬｉｇｈｔＴｒａｃｋｓｉｎｔｈｅＯｐｔｉｃａｌＦｉｂｅｒｓｗｉｔｈＴｗｏＴｙｐｅｓｏｆＰａｒａｂｏｌｉｃＲｅｆｒａｃｔｉｖｅＩｎｄｉｃｅｓ￥ＳＨＥＮＷｅｎｄａ（ＤｅｐａｒｔｍｅｎｔｏｆＰｈｙｓｉｃｓ，ＳｈａｎｇｈａｉＵｎｉｖｅｒｓｉｔｙ，Ｓｈａ...     

Electrodynamics from a metric

A metric is given that produces a space in which the geodesic equation is identical with the Lorentz equation of motion for a charged particle. The gravitational field equations in the same space indicate a geometric origin for the electromagnetic energy-momentum tensor. A comparison is made with Kaluza-Klein theories and it is determined that the present theory is distinct from them because it corresponds to a timelike, noncompact fifth dimension. Since the metric is velocity-dependent, it is actually a Finsler space rather than a Riemannian space metric. Its special form, however, allows computations to be done in terms of Riemannian geometry.     

Gaussian Thermostats as Geodesic Flows of Nonsymmetric Linear Connections

We establish that Gaussian thermostats are geodesic flows of special metric connections. We give sufficient conditions for hyperbolicity of geodesic flows of metric connections in terms of their curvature and torsion. Reproduction of the entire article for non-commercial purposes is permitted without charge.     

Some examples of the behaviour of conformal geodesics

With the aid of concrete examples, we consider the question of whether, in the presence of conformal curvature, a conformal geodesic can become trapped in smaller and smaller sets, or phrased informally: Are spirals possible? We do not arrive at a definitive answer, but we are able to find situations where this behaviour is ruled out, including a reduction of the conformal-geodesic equations to quadratures in a specific non-conformally flat metric.     

Geodesic‐invariant equations of gravitation

Einstein's equations of gravitation are not invariant under geodesic mappings, i.e. under a certain class of mappings of the Christoffel symbols and the metric tensor which leave the geodesic equations in a given coordinate system invariant. A theory in which geodesic mappings play the role of gauge transformations is considered.     

Path integrals on symmetric spaces and group manifolds

Invariant path integrals on symmetric and group spaces are defined in terms of a sum over the paths formed by broken geodesic segments. Their evaluation proceeds by using the mean value properties of functions over the geodesic and complex radius spheres. It is shown that on symmetric spaces the invariant path integral gives a kernel of the Schrödinger equation in terms of the spectral resolution of the zonal functions of the space. On compact group spaces the invariant path integral reduces to a sum over powers of Gaussian-type integrals which, for a free particle, yields the standard Van Vleck-Pauli propagator. Explicit calculations are performed for the case ofSU(2) andU(N) group spaces.     

Renormalisation group flow and geodesics in the O(N) model for large N

A metric is introduced on the space of parameters (couplings) describing the large N limit of the O(N) model in Euclidean space. The geometry associated with this metric is analysed in the particular case of the infinite volume limit in three dimensions and it is shown that the Ricci curvature diverges at the ultra-violet (Gaussian) fixed point but is finite and tends to constant negative curvature at the infra-red (Wilson-Fisher) fixed point. The renormalisation group flow is examined in terms of geodesics of the metric. The critical line of cross-over from the Wilson-Fisher fixed point to the Gaussian fixed point is shown to be a geodesic but all other renormalisation group trajectories, which are repulsed from the Gaussian fixed point in the ultraviolet, are not geodesics. The geodesic flow is interpreted in terms of a maximisation principle for the relative entropy.     

On Jacobi fields

We define curves on a Riemannian manifold as integrals of generalized Jacobi fields. We show that the force term that deviates the trajectory from the geodesic motion can be constructed as a functional of the metric tensor. These curves can be interpreted as particles (observers) coupled nonminimally with gravitation that can provide a class of residual observers for the inevitable singularity—as shown in the text.This essay received an honorable mention (1976) from the Gravity Research Foundation-Ed.     

Finding Collineations of Kimura Metrics

Kimura investigated static spherically symmetric metrics and found several to have quadratic first integrals. We use REDUCE and the package Dimsym to seek collineations for these metrics. For one metric we find that three proper projective collineations exist, two of which are associated with the two irreducible quadratic first integrals found by Kimura. The third projective collineation is found to have a reducible quadratic first integral. We also find that this metric admits two conformal motions and that the resulting reducible conformal Killing tensors also lead to Kimura's quadratic integrals. We demonstrate that when a Killing tensor is known for a metric we can seek an associated collineation by solving first order equations that give the Killing tensor in terms of the collineation rather than the second order determining equations for collineations. We report less interesting results for other Kimura metrics.     

Interior Schwarzschild Problem and Its Integration

The interior Schwarzschild metric for a static,spherically symmetric perfect fluid can be parametrizedwith two independent functions of the radial coordinate.These functions are easily expressed in terms of (radial) integrals involving the fluidenergy density and pressure. The pressure is, however,not independent, but is determined in terms of thedensity by one of Einstein's equations, theOppenheimer–Volkov (OV) equation. An approximate integral to theOV equation is presented which is accurate for slowlyvarying, realistic, densities, and exact in theconstant-density limit. It makes it possible to findcompletely integrated accurate solutions to the interiorSchwarzschild metric in terms of the density only. Somepost-Newtonian consequences of the solution are given aswell as the resulting general relativistic pressure for an energy densityr^-1/2.     

Differential invariants for cubic integrals of geodesic flows on surfaces

We construct differential invariants that vanish if and only if the geodesic flow of a two-dimensional metric admits an integral of third degree in momenta with a given Birkhoff–Kolokoltsov 3-codifferential.     

Particle Motion and Perturbed Dynamical System in Warped Product Spacetimes

In this paper we have used the dynamical systems analysis to study the dynamics of a five-dimensional universe in the form of a warped product spacetime with a spacelike dynamic extra dimension. We have decomposed the geodesic equations to get the motion along the extra dimension and have studied the associated dynamical system when the cross-diagonal element of the Einstein tensor vanishes, and also when it is non-vanishing. Introducing the concept of an energy function along the phase path in terms of the extra-dimensional coordinate, we have examined how the energy function depends on the warp factor. The energy function serves as a measure of the amount of perturbation of geodesic paths along the extra dimension in the region close to the brane. Then we studied the geodesic motion under a conventional metric perturbation in the form of homothetic motion and conformal motion and examined the nature of critical points for a Mashhoon-Wesson-type metric, for timelike and null geodesics when the cross-diagonal term of the Einstein tensor vanishes. Finally we investigated the motion for null and timelike geodesics under the condition when the cross-diagonal element of the Einstein tensor is non-vanishing and examined the effects of perturbation on the critical points of the dynamical system.     

A left-symmetric algebraic approach to left invariant flat (pseudo-)metrics on Lie groups

Left invariant flat metrics on Lie groups are revisited in terms of left-symmetric algebras which correspond to affine structures. There is a left-symmetric algebraic approach with an explicit formula to the classification theorem given by Milnor. When the positive definiteness of the metric is replaced by nondegeneracy, there are many more examples of left invariant flat pseudo-metrics, which play important roles in several fields in geometry and mathematical physics. We give certain explicit constructions of these structures. Their classification in low dimensions and some interesting examples in higher dimensions are also given.     

Geodesic Motion on Extended Taub-NUT Spinning Space

In this paper we investigate the geodesic motion of the pseudo-classical spinning particle for the extended Taub-NUT metric. The generalized equations for spinning space are investigated and the constants of motion are derived in terms of the solutions of these equations. We find only two types of extended Taub-NUT metrics with Kepler type symmetry admitting Killing-Yano tensors. The solutions for the lowest components of generalized Killing equations are presented for a particular form of extended Taub-NUT metric.     

Isotropic submanifolds of pseudo-Riemannian spaces

The family of all the submanifolds of a given Riemannian or pseudo-Riemannian manifold is large enough to classify them into some interesting subfamilies such as minimal (maximal), totally geodesic, Einstein, etc. Most of these have been extensively studied by many authors, but as far as we know, no paper has hitherto been published on the class of isotropic submanifolds. The purpose of this paper is therefore to gain a better understanding of this interesting class of submanifolds that arise naturally in mathematics and physics by studying their relationships with other closely distinguished families.