Questions tagged [riemannian-geometry]

For questions about Riemann geometry, which is a branch of differential geometry dealing with Riemannian manifolds.

Introduction

Metaphorically, Riemannian geometry is what happens when we try to generalize the Pythagorean theorem to work on smooth manifolds in general, but accidently drop the Pythagorean theorem in a blender along the way.

Definition 1.1a: (Riemannian Metric) Suppose $M$ is a smooth manifold. A Riemannian metric on $M$ is a section $\mathrm{g}\in\Gamma(T^\vee\hspace{-.25em}M\otimes T^\vee\hspace{-.25em}M)$ such that, for each $p\in M$ and all $X_p,Y_p\in T_pM$,

  • $\mathrm{g}_p(X_p\otimes Y_p)=\mathrm{g}_p(Y_p\otimes X_p)$,

  • $\mathrm{g}_p(X_p\otimes X_p)\geq0$, with equality if and only if $X_p=0$.

Note that many mathematicians use the following equivalent definition.

Definition 1.1b: (Riemannian Metric) Suppose $M$ is a smooth manifold. A Riemannian metric is a smooth function $\mathrm{g}:TM\times_MTM\to\mathbb{R}$, where $TM\times_MTM$ is the fiber product, such that, for each $p\in M$, all $X_p,Y_p,Z_p\in T_pM$, and all $a,b\in\mathbb{R}$,

  • $\mathrm{g}(aX_p+bY_p,Z_p)=a\mathrm{g}(X_p,Z_p)+b\mathrm{g}(Y_p,Z_p)$,
  • $\mathrm{g}(X_p,Y_p)=\mathrm{g}(Y_p,X_p)$,
  • $\mathrm{g}(X_p,X_p)\geq0$, with equality if and only if $X_p=0$.

Regardless of the particulars of the definition, a Riemannian metric is essentially a smooth choice of inner product on each tangent space. Making a choice of Riemannian metric gives us a Riemannian manifold.

Definition 1.2: (Riemannian Manifold) A Riemannian manifold is a pair $(M,\mathrm{g})$, where $M$ is a smooth manifold and $\mathrm{g}$ is a Riemannian metric.

There is a plethora of examples of Riemannian manifolds that appear all over geometry.

Example 1.3: (Euclidean Space) Let $x$ be the (global) identity chart on $\mathbb{R}^n$. A Euclidean space is a Riemannian manifold of the form $$\left(\mathbb{R}^n,\sum_{i=1}^n\mathrm{d}x^i\otimes\mathrm{d}x^i\right).$$ Usually, we identify $n$-dimensional Euclidean space with $\mathbb{R}^n$.

Example 1.4: (Hyperbolic Plane) Let $(x,y)$ be the (global) identity chart on the upper half plane. Then, the hyperbolic plane is the Riemannian manifold $$H^2=\left(\mathbb{R}\times\mathbb{R}_+,\frac{1}{y^2}\left(\mathrm{d}x\otimes\mathrm{d}x+\mathrm{d}y\otimes\mathrm{d}y\right)\right).$$

This tag is for questions about Riemann geometry, which is a branch of differential geometry dealing with Riemannian manifolds. Usually, Riemannian geometry focuses on the notions of distance, curvature, and shape. Consider using this tag if your question involves Riemannian manifolds or objects generally associated with them, such as Levi-Civita connections.

7915 questions
1
vote
1 answer

norm of Ricci curvature and Einstein manifold

If ‎$ ‎||Ric||‎^{2}=‎\frac{S‎^{2}‎}{‎n‎}‎‎‎ $‎can be concluded ‎$ ‎Ric=‎\frac{S}{n}‎‎ $‎? where Ric is Ricci tensor and S is scalar ‎curvature.‎
1
vote
1 answer

How to generate Etruscan 2D complex manifold space vectors using the eigenvalues of the compact Riemannian metric tensor?

In short, I wish to generate a set of points in a subset of the 2D Euclidean plane. For those who want to know, I plan on using it to generate a quasi-homomorphic mapping with the following underlying sub-generator (Tsiolkovsky, 1903): $$\Delta v =…
1
vote
1 answer

Trace of Levi-Civita connection $(X,Y)\mapsto\nabla_X Y$

Let $M$ be a Riemannian manifold. Then I wish to define a vector field $Z=\operatorname{tr}((X,Y)\mapsto\nabla_X Y)$, or in coordinates, $$Z = g^{ij}\nabla_{\partial_i}\partial_j.$$ However, it doesn't seem obvious to me that this thing should be…
1
vote
1 answer

'picturing' the covariant derivative

Is it correct to say that the covariant derivative cannot be 'pictured' in the same way as other derivatives since the idea of an infinitesimally close neighbourhood of a point p in a manifold $M$ does not make sense i.e. $p+\epsilon$ is ill defined…
J.Main
  • 289
1
vote
0 answers

A question about the topological sphere theorem

I have referred Wikipedia on the topological sphere theorem:If $M$ is a complete, simply-connected, $n$-dimensional Riemannian manifold with sectional curvature taking values in the interval $(1,4]$ then $M$ is homeomorphic to the $n$-sphere.…
Jiabin Du
  • 609
1
vote
0 answers

Tangent conjugate locus has empty intersection with tangent cut locus

Assume that $C_m(p)$ is a cut locus of $p$ and $C(p) $ is a conjugate locus (Here we consider first conjugate locus). Then we have tangent cut locus $TC_m(p)\subset T_pM$ and tangent conjugate locus $TC(p)\subset T_pM$. We want to find a Riemannian…
HK Lee
  • 19,964
1
vote
1 answer

Examples of Computations of Curvature Operator

I seem to be struggling with this. My understanding is that the curvature operator $\mathfrak{R}(x \wedge y)$ returns the bivector which makes the equation $g(\mathfrak{R}(x \wedge y), (v \wedge w)) = g(R(x,y)w,v)$ true for every bivector $v \wedge…
A. Thomas Yerger
  • 17,862
  • 4
  • 42
  • 85
1
vote
1 answer

First variation formula $ \int_M div _M Y = -\int_M \langle H , Y \rangle $

$M^n\subset \mathbb R^{n+1}$ is a compact without boundary n-dimensional smooth manifold. I see a first variation formula $$ \int_M div _M Y = -\int_M \langle H , Y \rangle $$ $Y$ is a vector field on $M$, $H$ is mean curvature vector. If $Y$ is…
Enhao Lan
  • 5,829
1
vote
1 answer

Intersection of hypersurfaces in $S^n$

If $(X=S^n(1),d)$ is a Riemannian manifold of constant curvature, then consider two points $p,\ q\in X$ with $d(p,q)=\epsilon < \frac{\pi}{2}$. Then what is $S:=\partial B(p,\frac{\pi}{2})\cap \partial B(q,\frac{\pi}{2})$ i.e. intersection of…
HK Lee
  • 19,964
1
vote
0 answers

Geodesics on a unit sphere

I am trying to solve the geodesic equations on a unit sphere: \begin{align} \frac{d^2 \theta}{d \lambda^2} - \sin\theta\cos\theta \frac{d \phi}{d \lambda} \frac{d \phi}{d \lambda} = 0 \\ \frac{d^2 \phi}{d \lambda^2} + 2 \cot\theta \frac{d \theta}{d…
Junaid Aftab
  • 1,582
1
vote
0 answers

How to show show $\langle \nabla H , \nabla |A|^2 \rangle=2H|\nabla H|^2$

Consider a embedded submanifold. Let $H=g^{ij}h_{ij}$ is mean curvature, $|A|^2=g^{ij}g^{kl}h_{ik}h_{jl}$. $h_{ij}$ is the second fundamental form and $g_{ij}$ is induced metric. For show $\langle \nabla H , \nabla |A|^2 \rangle=2H|\nabla H|^2$.…
Enhao Lan
  • 5,829
1
vote
0 answers

Special geodesic unit speed curves on a Riemannian manifold subtending one another

Let $f(s,t)$ be a two times continuously differentiable piece of a surface, which is part of a Riemannian manifold $M$. Let $0\leq s\leq 1$ and $-\epsilon
1
vote
1 answer

Equation derived from the Gaussian equation.

I tryed resolve the follow problem, but I get not. Someone can help me ? Let be $N^3$ a smooth Riemannian manifolds and let be $\Sigma^2$ a closed and embedded minimal surface of $ N $. Show that $$K_\Sigma = K_N -2Ric^N - | A_\Sigma | ^ 2.…
A.D.
  • 508
1
vote
1 answer

Interchange points by Lorentz transformation

How can I show that one can interchange any given points $p$ and $q$ on hyperboloid model(including two sheets) by an element of $O(n,1)$, Lorentz group?
Dai
  • 691
1
vote
1 answer

If $K$ is a $(1,1)$-tensor field such that $\nabla K = 0$ then $\nabla_XKY = K\nabla_XY, \forall X,Y.$

Let $M$ be a Riemannian manifold with Levi-Civita connection $\nabla$ and $K$ a $(1,1)$ tensor field on $M$. I am trying to prove that if $K$ is parallel then $\nabla_X K(Y) = K(\nabla_XY)$ for every $X,Y$ vector fields on $M$. I tried to use the…