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
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example of compact manifold with $K\le 0$

Could you give an example of such Riemannian manifold: 1. compact; 2. non-positive sectional curvature
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Geodesics in rotating cylindrical coordinates: solving the coupled differential equations

EDIT: Based on the mistake pointed below, I have computed the (now hopefully) correct metric and the differential equations for the geodesics. I have the following co-ordinate transformation, \begin{align} t & = t' \\ x' & = r \cos(\theta - \omega…
Junaid Aftab
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Orthonormal coordinates on riemannian manifolds

Let $(M,g)$ be a 2-dimensional riemannian manifold. Given $q\in M$ we can choose $e_1,e_2\in T_qM$ such that $g_q(u_\alpha,e_\beta)=\delta_{\alpha\beta}$. How can we give a local chart $(x,y)$ around $q$ such that $\{\partial/\partial…
FUUNK1000
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Locus of points bearing a fixed distance ratio between two other points in Riemannian manifold

Does the geometric locus of points bearing a fixed ratio between two other fixed points have a constant geodesic curvature? Let $M$ be a 2-dimensional Riemannian manifold $ x,y∈M. $ Is the set of points ${z |\,d(z,x)/d(z,y)}= \lambda$ comparable…
Narasimham
  • 40,495
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Isometrically embedding theorem

The well-known Nash embedding theorem states that any Riemannian manifold $M$ can be isometrically embedded to some Euclidean space $R^k$. My question is: Can any Riemannian manifold $M$ be isometrically embedded to some Riemannian manifold $N$ with…
Summer
  • 6,893
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Hopf map and submersion

Prove that the Hopf map $\phi:S^3 \to S^2$ with $\phi(x,y)=(2x\bar y,|x|^2-|y|^2)$ is a submersion. I need to show for that map rank $d\phi=2$. But how can I find partial derivative of $d(2x\bar y)/dy$. I'm stuck. Thank you.
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preserving the metric

I am a bit confused with what it means to preserve the Riemannian metric. The link below says that SL2(R) action preserves the hyperbolic half plane…
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Counter example of conjugate points of geodesics

$M$ complete Riemannian manifold, $\gamma:[a,b]\to M$ is a geodesic, $p=\gamma(a),q=\gamma(b)$. We say q is conjugate to p along $\gamma$ if there is a Jacobi field $J$ along $\gamma$, st $J\neq0,J(a)=J(b)=0$. But in John Lee's book , he used the…
Liding Yao
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2 answers

Length of a geodesic between $x$ and $y$ on a Riemann manifold that is compact

I'm new to Riemann Geometry and I read on Wikipedia in the section called "Riemann manifolds are metric spaces" that Assuming the manifold is compact, any two points x and y can be connected with a geodesic whose length is d(x,y). I understand…
nekodesu
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First variation formula and geodesic

The first variation formula says that $$\left.\frac{\mathrm d }{\mathrm d s}\right|_{s=0}\ell(\varphi_s)=\frac{1}{c}\left[\left<\frac{\partial \varphi}{\partial s}(0,t),\frac{\partial \varphi}{\partial…
user330587
  • 1,624
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Geodesic of the half plan of Poincaré.

Don't worry, the question is short ! I just gave details on how things work, but there is nothing complicated On the half plan of Poincaré, we have the metric $$g=\frac{\mathrm d x^2+\mathrm d y^2}{y^2}.$$ I know that geodesic are critical point for…
user330587
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Metric hyperbolic polar

The metric tensor hyperbolic is given by $$g=4\frac{\mathrm d x^2+\mathrm d y^2}{(1-x^2-y^2)^2}.$$ I have to right it in polar. I know that the euclidien metric $\mathrm d x^2+\mathrm d y^2$ is given by $\mathrm d \rho^2+\rho^2\mathrm d \theta^2$,…
user330587
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Why $-g^{ij}(\nabla_jR_{kl}+\nabla_kR_{jl}-\nabla_lR_{jk})=\nabla Rm$

Why $-g^{ij}(\nabla_jR_{kl}+\nabla_kR_{jl}-\nabla_lR_{jk})=\nabla Rm$? Whether the $\nabla Rm(X,Y,Z,W,T)=\nabla_XRm(Y,Z,W,T)$?
Farmer
  • 1,535
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Reference request-(Criterion for a manifold to be real analytic)

Let $(M , g)$ be a Riemannian manifold. If there exists a subatlas of normal coordinate systems such that the $g_{ij}$ are real analytic functions with respect to each normal coordinate system in the subatlas, then $(M , g)$ is a real analytic…
Summer
  • 6,893
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Compatible connection over a riemannian manifold

How do I prove the following assertion: Let $\nabla$ be a connection on a riemannian manifold, then $\nabla$ is compatible with the metric if and only if for all $X,Y,Z\in \mathfrak{X}(M)=\Gamma(TM)$ we have: $X\langle Y,Z \rangle =…
Jr.
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