Gaussian Beams,the Hamilton-Jacobi Equations,and Finsler Geometry

Relationships between Gaussian beams and geometry are considered in the paper. We show that the main properties of the Gaussian beam solutions are determined by the natural geometry related to the problem under consideration. The geometry is determined by the Hamilton-Jacobi equation and the corresponding Hamiltonian. In particular, we find a geometric interpretation of the Riccati equation for the quadratic form of the phase function corresponding to a Gaussian beam in the case of Finsler geometry. Bibliography: 2 titles.__________Translated from Zapiski Nauchnykh Seminarov POMI, Vol. 297, 2003, pp. 66–92.     

Projectively flat Finsler 2-spheres of constant curvature

After recalling the structure equations of Finsler structures on surfaces, I define a notion of "generalized Finsler structure" as a way of microlocalizing the problem of describing Finsler structures subject to curvature conditions. I then recall the basic notions of path geometry on a surface and define a notion of "generalized path geometry" analogous to that of "generalized Finsler structure". I use these ideas to study the geometry of Finsler structures on the 2-sphere that have constant Finsler-Gauss curvature K and whose geodesic path geometry is projectively flat, i.e., locally equivalent to that of straight lines in the plane. I show that, modulo diffeomorphism, there is a 2-parameter family of projectively flat Finsler structures on the sphere whose Finsler-Gauss curvature K is identically 1.     

Sprays metrizable by Finsler functions of constant flag curvature

In this paper we characterize sprays that are metrizable by Finsler functions of constant flag curvature. By solving a particular case of the Finsler metrizability problem, we provide the necessary and sufficient conditions that can be used to decide whether or not a given homogeneous system of second order ordinary differential equations represents the geodesic equations of a Finsler function of constant flag curvature. The conditions we provide are tensorial equations on the Jacobi endomorphism. We identify the class of homogeneous SODE where the Finsler metrizability is equivalent with the metrizability by a Finsler function of constant flag curvature.     

On the Dynamics of Uniform Finsler Manifolds of Negative Flag Curvature

The geodesic flow of a compact Finsler manifold with negative flag curvature is an Anosov flow [23]. We use the structure of the stable and unstable foliation to equip the geodesic ray boundary of the universal covering with a Hölder structure. Gromov's geodesic rigidity and the Theorem of Dinaburg--Manning on the relation between the topological entropy and the volume entropy are generalized to the case of Finsler manifolds.     

Locally symmetric Finsler spaces in negative curvature

É. Cartan introduced in 1926 the Riemannian locally symmetric spaces, as the spaces whose curvature tensor is parallel. They also owe their name to the fact that, for each point, the geodesic reflexion is a local isometry. The aim of this Note is to announce a strong rigidity result for Finsler spaces. Namely, we show that a negatively curved locally symmetric (in the first sense above) Finsler space is isometric to a Riemann locally symmetric space.     

Holomorphic curvature of Finsler metrics and complex geodesics

In his famous 1981 paper, Lempert proved that given a point in a strongly convex domain the complex geodesics (i.e., the extremal disks) for the Kobayashi metric passing through that point provide a very useful fibration of the domain. In this paper we address the question whether, given a smooth complex Finsler metric on a complex manifoldM, it is possible to find purely differential geometric properties of the metric ensuring the existence of such a fibration in complex geodesies ofM. We first discuss at some length the notion of holomorphic sectional curvature for a complex Finsler metric; then, using the differential equation of complex geodesies we obtained in [AP], we show that for every pair (p;v) ∈T M, withv ≠ 0, there is a (only a segment if the metric is not complete) complex geodesic passing throughp tangent tov iff the Finsler metric is Kähler, has constant holomorphic sectional curvature ?4, and its curvature tensor satisfies a specific simmetry condition—which are the differential geometric conditions we were after. Finally, we show that a complex Finsler metric of constant holomorphic sectional curvature ?4 satisfying the given simmetry condition on the curvature is necessarily the Kobayashi metric.     

A Schur type lemma for the mean Berwald curvature in Finsler geometry

In this short paper, we study a symmetric covariant tensor in Finsler geometry, which is called the mean Berwald curvature. We first investigate the geometry of the fibres as the submanifolds of the tangent sphere bundle on a Finsler manifold. Then we prove that if the mean Berwald curvature is isotropic along fibres, then the Berwald scalar curvature is constant along fibres.     

Finsler manifolds with nonpositive flag curvature and constant S-curvature

The flag curvature is a natural extension of the sectional curvature in Riemannian geometry, and the S-curvature is a non-Riemannian quantity which vanishes for Riemannian metrics. There are (incomplete) non-Riemannian Finsler metrics on an open subset in Rⁿ with negative flag curvature and constant S-curvature. In this paper, we are going to show a global rigidity theorem that every Finsler metric with negative flag curvature and constant S-curvature must be Riemannian if the manifold is compact. We also study the nonpositive flag curvature case.supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (10371138).     

Torsion-free path geometries and integrable second order ODE systems

A search for invariants of second order ODE systems under the class of point transformations, which mix the parameter and the dependent variables, uncovers a torsion tensor generalizing part of the curvature tensor of an affine connection. We study the geometry of ODE systems for which this torsion vanishes. These are the ODE systems for which deformations of solutions fixing a point constitute a field of Segré varieties in the tangent bundle of the locally defined space of solutions. Conversely, a field of Segré varieties for which certain differential invariants vanish induces a torsion-free ODE system on the space of solutions to a natural PDE system. The geometry on the solution space is used to produce first integrals for torsion-free ODE systems, given as algebraic invariants of a curvature tensor involving up to fourth derivatives of the equations. In the generic case, there are enough first integrals to solve the equations explicitly in spite of the absence of symmetry. In the case of torsion-free ODE pairs, the field of Segré varieties is equivalent to a half-flat split signature conformal structure, and we characterize in terms of curvature those systems having an abundance of totally geodesic surfaces.     

Compact Finsler manifolds without focal points

In this short note we prove that any Finsler torus without focal points is flat. Our method is based on comparison techniques on an associated Riccati equation and Birkhoff’s Ergodic theorem applied to the geodesic flow on the unit tangent bundle.     

关于Finsler流形中的距离函数与测地球

利用 Finsler流形中的切曲率和旗曲率 ,研究了距离函数与测地球的凸性 ;指出了在单连通完备 Minkowski空间中测地球正好是平面的一部分     

Finsler子流形的Chern联络与Gauss方程

利用Chern联络D、Cartan张量A以及第二基本形式H．研究了Finsler子流形中的诱导Chern联络与第一、第二曲率R和P，给出了子流形的关于R曲率、P曲率以及flag曲率的Gauss方程。     

A global classification result for Randers metrics of scalar curvature on closed manifolds

One important problem in Finsler geometry is that of classifying Finsler metrics of scalar curvature. By investigating the second-order differential equation for a class of Randers metrics with isotropic S$S$-curvature, we give a global classification of these metrics of scalar curvature, generalizing a theorem previously only known in the case of locally projectively flat Randers metrics.     

On the Volume of Unit Tangent Spheres in a Pinsler Manifold

Motivated by some issues which enter into the Gauss-Bonnet-Chern theorem in Finsler geometry, this paper studies the unit tangent sphere (or indicatrix) I_x M at each point x of a Pinsler manifold M. We demonstrate that the volume of I_mM, calculated with respect to a Riemannian metric induced naturally by the Finsler structure, is in general a function of x. This contrasts sharply with the situation in Riemannian geometry. We also express the derivative of such volume function in terms of the second curvature tensor of the Chern connection. In particular, we find that this function is constant on Landsberg spaces (though that constant need not be equal to the value taken by Riemannian manifolds).     

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF HYPERSPHERES IN MINKOWSKI SPACE

Y-Riemannian metric gY is an important tool in Finsler geometry, where Y is a smooth non-zero vector field on Finsler manifold. If Y is a geodesic field, it is very effective to study flag curvature using Y-Riemann metric. In this paper, using a special Y-Riemann metric ( that is, so called v-Riemann metric ), we study hyperspheres in a Minkowski space and give some characteristics of hyperspheres in a Minkowski space.     

On finsler spaces satisfying theT-condition

A Finsler space has been shown to satisfy theT-condition if the Finslerian metric tensor is quadratic in the unit tangent vectors. In the case where the curvature tensor of the indicatrix vanishes the converse statement is valid. The wide class of the Finslerian metric functions satisfying the condition of the quadratic dependence of the metric tensor on the unit tangent vectors, and hence theT-condition, has been found.     

Conjugate points and Maslov index in locally symmetric semi-Riemannian manifolds

We study the singularities of the exponential map in semi Riemannian locally symmetric manifolds. Conjugate points along geodesics depend only on real negative eigenvalues of the curvature tensor, and their contribution to the Maslov index of the geodesic is computed explicitly. We prove that degeneracy of conjugate points, which is a phenomenon that can only occur in semi-Riemannian geometry, is caused in the locally symmetric case by the lack of diagonalizability of the curvature tensor. The case of Lie groups endowed with a bi-invariant metric is studied in some detail, and conditions are given for the lack of local injectivity of the exponential map around its singularities.     

Classification of complete Finsler manifolds through a second order differential equation

By using a certain second order differential equation, the notion of adapted coordinates on Finsler manifolds is defined and some classifications of complete Finsler manifolds are found. Some examples of Finsler metrics, with positive constant sectional curvature, not necessarily of Randers type nor projectively flat, are found. This work generalizes some results in Riemannian geometry and open up, a vast area of research on Finsler geometry.     

Solitons of curvature

An intristic geometry of surfaces is discussed. In geodesic coordinates the Gauss equation is reduced to the Schrödinger equation where the Gaussian curvature plays the role of a potential. The use of this fact provides an infinite set of explicit expressions for the curvature and metric of a surface. A special case is governed by the KdV equation for the Gaussian curvature. We consider the integrable dynamics of curvature via the KdV equation, higher KdV equations and (2+1)-dimensional integrable equations with breaking solitons.