arXiv subjects

Antonio Masiello

Publications and source records attributed to Antonio Masiello.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A unified framework for photon and massive particle hypersurfaces in stationary spacetimes

We revisit the notion of massive particle hypersurfaces and place it within a unified framework alongside photon hypersurfaces in stationary spacetimes. More precisely, for Killing-invariant timelike hypersurfaces $T=\mathbb{R}\times S_0$, where $S_0$ is a smooth embedded surface in a spacelike slice $S$ of the stationary spacetime, we show that $T$ is a photon hypersurface or a massive particle hypersurface if and only if $S_0$ is totally geodesic with respect to certain associated Finsler structures on the slice: a Randers metric governing null geodesics and a Jacobi--Randers metric governing timelike solutions of the Lorentz force equation at fixed energy and charge-to-mass ratio. We also prove existence and multiplicity results for proper-time parametrized solutions of the Lorentz force equation with fixed energy and charge-to-mass ratio, either connecting a point to a flow line of the Killing vector field or having periodic, non-constant projection on $S$.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

On homotopy properties of solutions of some differential inclusions in the $W^{1,p}$-topology

We consider a differential inclusion on a manifold, defined by a field of open half-spaces whose boundary in each tangent space is the kernel of a one-form. We make the assumption that the corank one distribution associated to the kernel is completely nonholonomic of step 2. We identify a subset of solutions of the differential inclusion, satisfying two endpoints and periodic boundary conditions, which are homotopy equivalent in the $W^{1,p}$-topology, for any $p\in [1,+\infty)$, to the based loop space and the free loop space respectively.

math.DS↗

arXiv2024

Multiple connecting geodesics of a Randers-Kropina metric via homotopy theory for solutions of an affine control system

We consider a geodesic problem in a manifold endowed with a Randers-Kropina metric. This is a type of singular Finsler metric arising both in the description of the lightlike vectors of a spacetime endowed with a causal Killing vector field and in the Zermelo's navigation problem with a wind represented by a vector field having norm not greater than one. By using Lusternik-Schnirelman theory, we prove existence of infinitely many geodesics between two given points when the manifold is not contractible. Due to the type of nonholonomic constraints that the velocity vectors must satisfy, this is achieved thanks to a recent result about the homotopy type of the set of solutions of an affine control system with a controlled drift and related to a corank one, completely nonholonomic distribution of step 2.

math.DG↗

arXiv2023

A note on the Sagnac effect in general relativity as a Finslerian effect

The geometry of the Sagnac effect in a stationary region of a spacetime is reviewed with the aim of emphasizing the role of asymmetry of a Finsler metric defined on a spacelike hypersurface associated to a stationary splitting and related to future-pointing null geodesics of the spacetime. We show also that an analogous asymmetry comes into play in the Sagnac effect for timelike geodesics.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2022

Connecting and closed geodesics of a Kropina metric

We prove some results about existence of connecting and closed geodesics in a manifold endowed with a Kropina metric. These have applications to both null geodesics of spacetimes endowed with a null Killing vector field and Zermelo's navigation problem with critical wind.

math.DG↗

arXiv2020

On the analyticity of static solutions of a field equation in Finsler gravity

It is well-known that static vacuum solutions of Einstein equations are analytic in suitable coordinates. We ask here for an extension of this result in the context of Finsler gravity. We consider Finsler spacetimes that retain several properties of static Lorentzian spacetimes, are Berwald and have vanishing Ricci scalar.

math.DG↗

arXiv2019

Harmonic Coordinates for the Nonlinear Finsler Laplacian and Some Regularity Results for Berwald Metrics

We prove existence of harmonic coordinates for the nonlinear Laplacian of a Finsler manifold and apply them in a proof of the Myers--Steenrod theorem for Finsler manifolds. Different from the Riemannian case, these coordinates are not suitable for studying optimal regularity of the fundamental tensor, nevertheless, we obtain some partial results in this direction when the Finsler metric is Berwald.

math.DG↗

arXiv2012

Morse theory of causal geodesics in a stationary spacetime via Morse theory of geodesics of a Finsler metric

We show that the index of a lightlike geodesic in a conformally standard stationary spacetime is equal to the index of its spatial projection as a geodesic of a Finsler metric associated to the spacetime. Moreover we obtain the Morse relations of lightlike geodesics connecting a point to an integral line of the standard timelike Killing vector field by using Morse theory on the associated Finsler manifold. To this end, we prove a splitting lemma for the energy functional of a Finsler metric. Finally, we show that the reduction to Morse theory of a Finsler manifold can be done also for timelike geodesics.

math.DG↗

arXiv2012

Addendum to "Morse theory of causal geodesics in a stationary spacetime via Morse theory of geodesics of a Finsler metric", Ann. Inst. H. Poincaré Anal. Non Linéaire, 27 (2010) 857--876

We give the details of the proof of the equality between the critical groups, with respect the H^1 and C^1 topology, at a non-degenerate critical point of the energy functional of a non-reversible Finsler manifold (M,F), defined on the Hilbert manifold of the H^1 curves connecting two given points on M.

math.DG↗

arXiv2010

On the energy functional on Finsler manifolds and applications to stationary spacetimes

In this paper we first study some global properties of the energy functional on a non-reversible Finsler manifold. In particular we present a fully detailed proof of the Palais--Smale condition under the completeness of the Finsler metric. Moreover we define a Finsler metric of Randers type, which we call Fermat metric, associated to a conformally standard stationary spacetime. We shall study the influence of the Fermat metric on the causal properties of the spacetime, mainly the global hyperbolicity. Moreover we study the relations between the energy functional of the Fermat metric and the Fermat principle for the light rays in the spacetime. This allows us to obtain existence and multiplicity results for light rays, using the Finsler theory. Finally the case of timelike geodesics with fixed energy is considered.

math.DG↗

arXiv2010

Finsler geodesics in the presence of a convex function and their applications

We obtain a result about the existence of only a finite number of geodesics between two fixed non-conjugate points in a Finsler manifold endowed with a convex function. We apply it to Randers and Zermelo metrics. As a by-product, we also get a result about the finiteness of the number of lightlike and timelike geodesics connecting an event to a line in a standard stationary spacetime.

math.DG↗

arXiv2009

Pseudo focal points along Lorentzian geodesics and Morse index

Given a Lorentzian manifold $(M,g)$, a geodesic $γ$ in $M$ and a timelike Jacobi field $\mathcal Y$ along $γ$, we introduce a special class of instants along $γ$ that we call $\mathcal Y$-pseudo conjugate (or focal relatively to some initial orthogonal submanifold). We prove that the $\mathcal Y$-pseudo conjugate instants form a finite set, and their number equals the Morse index of (a suitable restriction of) the index form. This gives a Riemannian-like Morse index theorem. As special cases of the theory, we will consider geodesics in stationary and static Lorentzian manifolds, where the Jacobi field $\mathcal Y$ is obtained as the restriction of a globally defined timelike Killing vector field.

math.DG↗

arXiv1999

The Fermat Principle in General Relativity and Applications

In this paper we use a general version of Fermat's principle for light rays in General Relativity and a curve shortening method to write the Morse relations for light rays joining an event with a smooth timelike curve in a Lorentzian manifold with boundary. As a physical meaning, one can apply the Morse relations to have a mathematical description of the "gravitational lens effect" in a very general context.

math-ph↗

arXiv1999

A Morse Theory for Massive Particles and Photons in General Relativity

In this paper we develop a Morse Theory for timelike geodesics parameterized by a constant multiple of proper time. The results are obtained using an extension to the timelike case of the relativistic Fermat Principle, and techniques from Global Analysis on infinite dimensional manifolds. In the second part of the paper we discuss a limit process that allows to obtain also a Morse theory for light rays.

math-ph↗