It is the Hilbert's Fourth Problem to characterize the (not-necessarily-reversible) distance functions on a bounded convex domain in R^n such that straight lines are shortest paths. Distance functions induced by a Finsler metric are regarded as smooth ones. Finsler metrics with straight geodesics said to be projective. It is known that the flag curvature of any projective Finsler metric is a scalar function of tangent vectors (the flag curvature must be a constant if it is Riemannian). Thus it is a natural problem to study those of constant curvature.
In this paper, we study the Hilbert Fourth Problem in the smooth case. We first give a formula for x-analytic projective Finsler metrics F(x,y) of constant curvature K=c using a power series with coefficients expressed in terms of f(y):=F(0, y), h(y):=(1/2)F(x,y)^{-1}F_{x^k}(0, y)y^k and c. Then, for any given pair {f(y), h(y)} and any constant c, we give an algebraic formula for smooth projective Finsler metrics with constant curvature K=c and F(0, y)=f(y) and F_{x^k}(0, y)y^k=2f(y)h(y). By these formulas, we obtain several special projective Finsler metrics of constant curvature which can be used as models in Finsler geometry.
In Finsler geometry, there are infinitely many models of constant curvature. The Funk metrics, the Hilbert-Klein metrics and the Bryant metrics are projectively flat with non-zero constant curvature. A recent example constructed by the author is projectively flat with zero curvature. In this paper, we introduce a technique to construct non-projectively flat Finsler metrics with zero curvature in each dimension. The technique can be used to construct many non-projectively flat Finsler metrics of constant curvature.
The class of spherically symmetric Finsler metrics is studied and locally dually flat and projectively flat spherically symmetric Finsler metrics is classified.
In this work an intrinsic projectively invariant distance is used to establish a new approach to the study of projective geometry in Finsler space. It is shown that the projectively invariant distance previously defined is a constant multiple of the Finsler distance in certain case. As a consequence, two projectively related complete Einstein Finsler spaces with constant negative scalar curvature are homothetic. Evidently, this will be true for Finsler spaces of constant flag curvature as well.
We study the cylindrical symmetric Finsler metrics. We obtain the system of differential equations of such metrics which are projectively flat. We give a family of solutions of this system. Examples are included.
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.
In this paper, we study a class of Finsler metrics composed by a Riemann metric $α=\sqrt{a_{ij}(x)y^i y^j}$ and a $1$-form $β=b_i(x)y^i$ called general ($α$, $β$)-metrics. We classify those projectively flat when $α$ is projectively flat. By solving the corresponding nonlinear PDEs, the metrics in this class are totally determined. Then a new group of projectively flat Finsler metrics is found.
In this paper, we find the necessary and sufficient conditions under which two classes of (q, a, b)-metrics are projectively related to a Kropina metric.
A Riemannian metric is of constant curvature if and only if it is locally projectively flat. There are infinitely many locally projectively flat Finsler metrics of constant curvature, that are special solutions to the Hilbert's Fourth Problem. In this paper, we use the technique in the paper titled "Finsler metrics with K=0 and S=0" (math.DG/0109060) to construct infinitely many Finsler metrics on the 2-sphere with constant curvature K=1 and infinitely many Finsler metrics on the 2-disk with constant curvature K = -1. These metrics are not projectively flat. So far, the classification of Finsl…
We define a Weyl-type curvature tensor of $(1,2)$-type to provide a characterization for Finsler metrics of constant flag curvature. This Weyl-type curvature tensor is projective invariant only to projective factors that are Hamel functions. Based on this aspect we construct new families of projectively related Finsler metrics that have constant flag curvature.
In this paper we prove that the holonomy group of a simply connected locally projectively flat Finsler manifold of constant curvature is a finite dimensional Lie group if and only if it is flat or it is Riemannian.
We proof that on a surface of negative Euler characteristic, two real-analytic Finsler metrics have the same unparametrized oriented geodesics, if and only if they differ by a scaling constant and addition of a closed 1-form.
Recently, we developed a method for the study of holonomy properties of non-Riemannian Finsler manifolds and obtained that the holonomy group can not be a compact Lie group, if the Finsler manifold of dimension $> 2$ has non-zero constant flag curvature. The purpose of this paper is to move further, exploring the holonomy properties of projectively flat Finsler manifolds of non-zero constant flag curvature. We prove in particular that projectively flat Randers and Bryant-Shen manifolds of non-zero constant flag curvature have infinite dimensional holonomy group.
In this paper, we study locally projectively flat Finsler metrics with constant flag curvature ${\bf K}$. We prove those are totally determined by their behaviors at the origin by solving some nonlinear PDEs. The classifications when ${\bf K}=0$, ${\bf K}=-1$ and ${\bf K} =1$ are given respectively in an algebraic way. Further, we construct a new projectively flat Finsler metric with flag curvature ${\bf K}=1$ determined by a Minkowskian norm with double square roots at the origin. As an application of our main theorems, we give the classification of locally projectively flat spherical symmetr…
In this paper, it is proved that any conformal vector field is homothetic on a locally projectively flat $(α,β)$-space of non-Randers type in dimension $n\ge 3$, and the local solutions of such a vector field are determined. While on a locally projectively flat Randers space, examples showthat the conformal vector fields are not necessarily homothetic.
A projective parameter of a geodesic on a Finsler space is defined to be solution of a certain ODE. Using projective parameter and Funk metric, one can construct a projectively invariant intrinsic pseudo-distance on a Finsler space. In the present work, solutions of the projective parameter's ODE are characterized with respect to the sign of parallel Ricci tensor of a Finsler space. It is shown that the pseudo-distance is trivial on complete Finsler spaces of positive semi-definite Ricci tensor and it is a distance on Finsler spaces of parallel negative definite Ricci tensor. These results gen…
Here, a non-linear analysis method is applied rather than classical one to study projective changes of Finsler metrics. More intuitively, a projectively invariant pseudo-distance is introduced and characterized with respect to the Ricci tensor and its covariant derivatives.
In this paper, we prove that a strongly convex complex Finsler metric $F$ on a domain $D\subset\mathbb{C}^n$ is projectively flat (resp. dually flat) if and only if $F$ comes from a strongly convex complex Minkowski metric.
Singular Finsler metrics, such as Kropina metrics and $m$-Kropina metrics, have a lot of applications in the real world. In this paper, we classify a class of singular $(α,β)$-metrics which are locally projectively flat with constant flag curvature in dimension $n= 2$ and $n \ge 3$ respectively. Further, we determine the local structure of $m$-Kropina metrics and particularly Kropina metrics which are projectively flat with constant flag curvature and prove that such metrics must be locally Minkowskian but are not necessarily flat-parallel.
An $(α,β)$-manifold $(M,F)$ is a Finsler manifold with the Finsler metric $F$ being defined by a Riemannian metric $α$ and $1$-form $β$ on the manifold $M$. In this paper, we classify $n$-dimensional $(α,β)$-manifolds (non-Randers type) which are positively complete and locally projectively flat. We show that the non-trivial class is that $M$ is homeomorphic to the $n$-sphere $S^n$ and $(S^n,F)$ is projectively related to a standard spherical Riemannian manifold, and then we obtain some special geometric properties on the geodesics and scalar flag curvature of $F$ on $S^n$, especially when $F$…
In this paper, we study a class of two-dimensional Finsler metrics defined by a Riemannian metric $α$ and a 1-form $β$. We characterize those metrics which are Douglasian or locally projectively flat by some equations. In particular, it shows that the known fact that $β$ is always closed for those metrics in higher dimensions is no longer true in two dimensional case. Further, we determine the local structures of two-dimensional $(α,β)$-metrics which are Douglassian, and some families of examples are given for projectively flat classes with $β$ being not closed.
Singular Finsler metrics, such as Kropina metrics and $m$-Kropina metrics, have a lot of applications in the real world. In this paper, we study a class of singular Finsler metrics defined by a Riemann metric $α$ and 1-form $β$ and characterize those which are respectively Douglasian and locally projectively flat in dimension $n\ge 3$ by some equations. Our study shows that the main class induced is an $m$-Kropina metric plus a linear part on $β$. For this class with $m\ne -1$, the local structure of projectively flat case is determined, and it is proved that a Douglas $m$-Kropina metric must …
First we present a short overview of the long history of projectively flat Finsler spaces. We give a simple and quite elementary proof of the already known condition for the projective flatness, and we give a criterion for the projective flatness of a special Lagrange space (Theorem 1). After this we obtain a second-order PDE system, whose solvability is necessary and sufficient for a Finsler space to be projectively flat (Theorem 2). We also derive a condition in order that an infinitesimal transformation takes geodesics of a Finsler space into geodesics. This yields a Killing type vector fie…
In this paper, we consider Randers change of some special $ (α, β)- $ metrics. First we find the fundamental metric tensor and Cartan tensor of these Randers changed $ (α, β)- $metrics. Next, we establish a general formula for inverse of fundamental metric tensors of these metrics. Finally, we find the necessary and sufficient conditions under which the Randers change of these $ (α, β)- $ metrics are projectively and locally dually flat.
On Locally Dually and Projectively Flat Almost Rational Finsler Metrics
LNJPIT；VIGNAN’S Foundation for Science, Technology and Research (Deemed to be University)（VIGNAN科学、技术与研究基金会（认定大学））；Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University（贝拿勒斯印度教大学理学院）
Singular Finsler metrics, such as Kropina metrics and $m$-Kropina metrics, have a lot of applications in the real world. In this paper, we study a class of two-dimensional singular Finsler metrics defined by a Riemann metric $α$ and 1-form $β$, and we characterize those which are Douglasian or locally projectively flat by some equations. It shows that the main class induced is an $m$-Kropina metric plus a linear part on $β$. For this class, the local structure of Douglasian or (in part) projectively flat case is determined, and in particular we show that a Kropina metric is always Douglasian a…
I classify the Finsler structures on the 2-sphere that have constant Finsler-Gauss curvature and whose geodesics are the great circles. Modulo diffeomorphism, there is a 2-parameter family of such Finsler structures, only one of which is homogeneous or symmetric, namely the Riemannian one. I discuss the history of the problem and its relation with Hilbert's Fourth Problem and the calculus of variations.
We study the following problem: given an Einstein metric on a manifold, characterize and study all Einstein metrics which are pointwise projective to the given one. By definition, two metrics are said to be pointwise projectively related if they have the same geodesics as point sets. This is closely related to Hilbert's Fourth Problem. In this paper, we show that pointwise projectively related Einstein metrics satisfy a simple equation along geodesics. In particular, we prove the following rigidity theorem: if two pointwise projectively related Einstein metrics are complete with negative Einst…
The pullback approach to global Finsler geometry is adopted. Some new types of special Finsler spaces are introduced and investigated, namely, Ricci, generalized Ricci, projectively recurrent and m-projectively recurrent Finsler spaces. The properties of these special Finsler spaces are studied and the relations between them are singled out.
In this paper, we prove a global rigidity theorem for negatively curved Finsler metrics on a compact manifold of dimension n>2. We show that for such a Finsler manifold, if the flag curvature is a scalar function on the tangent bundle, then the Finsler metric is of Randers type. We also study the case when the Finsler metric is locally projectively flat.
Let $M$ be a differentiable manifold and $TM$ be its tangent bundle. A $C^0$-Finsler structure on $M$ is a continuous function $F: TM \rightarrow \mathbb R$ such that its restriction to each tangent space is a norm. In this work we present a large family of projectively equivalent $C^0$-Finsler manifolds $(\hat M \cong \mathbb R^2,\hat F)$. Their structures $\hat F$ don't have partial derivatives and they aren't invariant by any transformation group of $\hat M$. For every $p,q \in (\hat M,\hat F)$, we determine the unique minimizing path connecting $p$ and $q$. They are line segments parallel …
Here, a non-linear analysis method is applied rather than classical one to study projective Finsler geometry. More intuitively, by means of an inequality on Ricci-Finsler curvature, a projectively invariant pseudo-distance is introduced and an analogous of Schwarz' lemma in Finsler geometry is proved. Next, the Schwarz' lemma is applied to show that the introduced pseudo-distance is a distance. This projectively invariant distance will be served in continuation of this work to investigate Einstein-Finsler spaces and classify Finsler spaces as well.
In this paper we study the flag curvature of a particular class of Finsler metrics called general $(α,β)$-metrics, which are defined by a Riemannian metric $α$ and a $1$-form $β$. The classification of such metrics with constant flag curvature are completely determined under some suitable conditions, which make them be locally projectively flat. As a result, we construct some new projectively flat Finsler metrics with flag curvature $1$, $0$ and $-1$, all of which are of singularity at some directions.
In this paper, we investigate the holonomy structure of the most accessible and demonstrative 2-dimensional Finsler surfaces, the Randers surfaces. Randers metrics can be considered as the solutions of the Zermelo navigation problem. We give the classification of the holonomy groups of locally projectively flat Randers two-manifolds of constant curvature. In particular, we prove that the holonomy group of a simply connected non-Riemannian projectively flat Finsler two-manifold of constant non-zero flag curvature is maximal and isomorphic to the orientation preserving diffeomorphism group of th…
The well-known Funk metric F(x,y) is projectively flat with constant flag curvature K=-1/4 and the Hilbert metric H(x,y):=(F(x,y)+F(x,-y))/2 is projectively flat with constant curvature K=-1. These metrics are the special solutions to Hilbert's Fourth Problem. In this paper, we construct a non-trivial R-flat spray using the Funk metric. It is then an inverse problem in the calculus of variation to find a Finsler metric that induces the R-flat spray. We find an explicit solution to this inverse problem and obtain a non-trivial projectively flat Finsler metric with K=0.
We show that in dimension 2 every Finsler metric with at least 3-dimensional Lie algebra of projective vector fields is locally projectively equivalent to a Randers metric. We give a short list of such Finsler metrics which is complete up to coordinate change and projective equivalence.
The flag curvature of a Finsler metric is called a Riemannian quantity because it is an extension of sectional curvature in Riemannian geometry. In Finsler geometry, there are several non-Riemannian quantities such as the (mean) Cartan torsion, the (mean) Landsberg curvature and the S-curvature, which all vanish for Riemannian metrics. It is important to understand the geometric meanings of these quantities. In this paper, we study Finsler metrics of scalar curvature (i.e., the flag curvature is a scalar function on the slit tangent bundle) and partially determine the flag curvature when certa…
In this paper we study a class of Finsler metrics defined by a Riemannian metric and an 1-form. We classify those of projectively flat in dimension $n\geq3$ by a special class of deformations. The results show that the projective flatness of such kind of Finsler metrics always arises from that of some Riemannian metric.
Here, using the projectively invariant pseudo-distance and Schwarzian derivative, it is shown that every connected complete Finsler space of the constant negative Ricci scalar is reversible. In particular, every complete Randers metric of constant negative Ricci (or flag) curvature is Riemannian.
In the current paper, first we give the correct version of the formula for mean Berwald curvature of a spherically symmetric Finsler metric given in paper \cite{YCheWSon2015}. Further, we establish differential equations characterizing projectively as well as dually flat spherically symmetric Finsler metrics. Finally, we obtain a rigidity result on spherically symmetric Finsler metrics with isotropic $E$-Curvature.
In this paper, we find a condition under which a Finsler space with Kropina change of mth-root metric is projectively related to a mth-root metric and also we find a condition under which this Kropina transformed mth-root metric is locally dually flat. Moreover we find the condition for its Projective flatness.
In this paper, we consider Kropina change of $m$-th root Finsler metrics. We find necessary and sufficient condition under which the Kropina change of an $m$-th root Finsler metric be locally dually flat. Then we prove that the Kropina change of an $m$-th root Finsler metric is locally projectively flat if and only if it is locally Minkowskian.
In this paper, we characterize locally dually flat generalized m-th root Finsler metrics. Then we find a condition under which a generalized m-th root metric is projectively related to a m-th root metric. Finally, we prove that if a generalized m-th root metric is conformal to a m-th root metric, then both of them reduce to Riemannian metrics.
The aim of the present paper is to provide an intrinsic investigation of projective changes in Finlser geometry, following the pullback formalism. Various known local results are generalized and other new intrinsic results are obtained. Nontrivial characterizations of projective changes are given. The fundamental projectively invariant tensors, namely, the projective deviation tensor, the Weyl torsion tensor, the Weyl curvature tensor and the Douglas tensor are investigated. The properties of these tensors and their interrelationships are obtained. Projective connections and projectively flat …
Guided by the Hopf fibration, we single out a family (indexed by a positive constant K) of right invariant Riemannian metrics on the Lie group $S^3$. Using the Yasuda-Shimada theorem as an inspiration, we determine for each K>1 a privileged right invariant Killing field of constant length. Each such Riemannian metric pairs with the corresponding Killing field to produce a y-global and {\it explicit} Randers metric on $S^3$. Using the machinery of spray curvature and Berwald's formula for it, we prove directly that the said Randers metric has constant positive flag curvature K, as predicted by …
We define a partition of the space of projectively flat metrics in three classes according to the sign of the Chern scalar curvature; we prove that the class of negative projectively flat metrics is empty, and that the class of positive projectively flat metrics consists precisely of locally conformally flat-Kähler metrics on Hopf manifolds, explicitly characterized by Vaisman. Finally, we review the properties of zero projectively flat metrics. As applications, we refine a list of possible projectively flat metrics by Li, Yau, and Zheng; moreover we prove that projectively flat astheno-Kähler…
In this paper we study spherically symmetric metrics on a symmetric space in $\mathbb{R}^n$ with scalar and constant flag curvature and we also obtain families of this type of metrics. Many explicit examples are provided for Douglas metrics with scalar and constant flag curvature. Furthermore, new examples of projectively flat Finsler metrics are given. We also provide a family of spherically symmetric Finsler metrics which are not of Douglas type.
In this paper we show that the topological closure of the holonomy group of a certain class of projectively flat Finsler 2-manifolds of constant curvature is maximal, that is isomorphic to the connected component of the diffeomorphism group of the circle. This class of 2-manifolds contains the standard Funk plane of constant negative curvature and the Bryant-Shen-spheres of constant positive curvature. The result provides the first examples describing completely infinite dimensional Finslerian holonomy structures.
We have shown that the Beltrami Theorem in Riemannian geometry is still true for square metrics if the dimension $n\ge 3$, namely, an $n(\ge 3)$-dimensional square metric is locally projectively flat if and only if it is of scalar flag curvature. In this paper, we go on with the study of the Beltrami Theorem for a larger class of $(α,β)$-metrics $F=αϕ(β/α)$ including square metrics, where $ϕ(s)$ is determined by a family of known ODEs satisfied by projectively flat $(α,β)$-metrics. For this class, we prove that the Beltrami Theorem holds if $β$ is closed, and in particular, we prove that $β$ m…
In this paper the projective curvature invariants of a complex Finsler space are obtained. By means of these invariants the notion of complex Douglas space is then defined. A special approach is devoted to obtain the equivalence conditions that a complex Finsler space should be Douglas. It is shown that any weakly Kähler Douglas space is a complex Berwald space. A projective curvature invariant of Weyl type characterizes the complex Berwald spaces. They must be either purely Hermitian of constant holomorphic curvature or non purely Hermitian of vanish holomorphic curvature. The locally project…
We show a correspondence between the set of all G-invariant projectively flat connections on a homogeneous apace $M=G/K$, and the one of all {G}^~-invariant flat connections on a homogeneous space {M}^~={G}^~/K, where {G}^~ is a central extension of G.
A special linear Lie group over the real number field and the quarternion field admits a projectivley flat affine connection. We show that parabolic subgroups are autoparallel submanifolds and give a criterion the induced connection is projectively equivalent to a flat affine connection.
In this paper, we introduce the weighted projective Ricci curvature as an extension of projective Ricci curvature introduced by Z. Shen. We characterize the class of Randers metrics of weighted projective Ricci flat curvature. We find the necessary and sufficient condition under which a Kropina metric has weighted projective Ricci flat curvature. Finally, we show that every projectively flat metric with isotropic weighted projective Ricci and isotropic S-curvature is a Kropina metric or Randers metric.
For Finsler spaces (M,F) endowed with m-th root metrics, we provide necessary and sufficient conditions in which they are projectively flat, or projectively related to Berwald/Riemann spaces. We also give a specific characterization for m-th root metrics spaces of Landsberg and of Berwald type.
In this paper we define strongly projectively flatness of holomorphic maps into the complex Grassmannian manifold, which is a kind of generalization of holomorphic maps into the complex projective space and prove a rigidity of equivariant strongly projectively flat maps of compact simply connected homogeneous Kähler manifolds.
In this paper, a characteristic condition of the projectively flat Kropina metric is given. By it, we prove that a Kropina metric $F=α^2/β$ with constant curvature $K$ and $\|β\|_α=1$ is projectively flat if and only if $F$ is locally Minkowskian.
Geodesics, which play an important role in spray-Finsler geometry, are integral curves of a spray vector field on a manifold. Some comparison theorems and rigidity issues are established on the completeness of geodesics of a spray or a Finsler metric. In this paper, projectively flat sprays with weak Ricci constant (eps. constant curvature) are classified at the level of geodesics. Further, a geodesic method is introduced to determine an $n$-dimensional spray based on a family of curves with $2(n-1)$ free constant parameters as geodesics. Finally, it shows that a spray is projectively complete…
We define a Weyl-type curvature tensor that provides a characterisation for Finsler metrics of constant flag curvature. When the Finsler metric reduces to a Riemannian metric, the Weyl-type curvature tensor reduces to the classic projective Weyl tensor. In the general case, the Weyl-type curvature tensor differs from the Weyl projective curvature, it is not a projective invariant, and hence Beltrami Theorem does not work in Finsler geometry. We provide the relation between the Weyl-type curvature tensors of two projectively related Finsler metrics. Using this formula we show that a projective …
