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Athanase Papadopoulos

Publications and source records attributed to Athanase Papadopoulos.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
arXiv2015

Thurston's metric on Teichmüller space and the translation lengths of mapping classes

We show that the Teichmüller space of a surface without boundary and with punctures, equipped with Thurston's metric is the limit (in an appropriate sense) of Teichmüller spaces of surfaces with boundary, equipped with their arc metrics, when the boundary lengths tend to zero. We use this to obtain a result on the translation distances for mapping classes for their actions on Teichmüller spaces equipped with their arc metrics.

math.GT↗
arXiv2015

Arc length as a conformal parameter for locally analytic curves

For any locally analytic curve we show that arc length can be complexified and seen as a conformal parameter. As an application, we show that any such curve defines a unique maximal one and that the notions of analytic Jordan curve coincides with the notion of a Jordan curve which is locally analytic. We give examples where we also find, for a curve $γ$(s), the limit sets of the largest extensions, that is, the limit set of the curve as s converges to the end point of the interval.

math.CV↗
arXiv2015

Hyperbolic geometry in the work of Johann Heinrich Lambert

The memoir Theorie der Parallellinien (1766) by Johann Heinrich Lambert is one of the founding texts of hyperbolic geometry, even though its author's aim was, like many of his pre-decessors', to prove that such a geometry does not exist. In fact, Lambert developed his theory with the hope of finding a contradiction in a geometry where all the Euclidean axioms are kept except the parallel axiom and that the latter is replaced by its negation. In doing so, he obtained several fundamental results of hyperbolic geometry. This was sixty years before the first writings of Lobachevsky and Bolyai appeared in print. In the present paper, we present Lambert's main results and we comment on them. A French translation of the Theorie der Parallellinien, together with an extensive commentary, has just appeared in print (A. Papadopoulos and G. Th{é}ret, La th{é}orie des lignes parall{è}les de Johann Heinrich Lambert. Collection Sciences dans l'Histoire, Librairie Scientifique et Technique Albert Blanchard, Paris, 2014).

math.MG↗
arXiv2014

Transitional geometry

We develop a transitional geometry, that is, a family of geometries of constant curvatures which makes a continuous connec-tion between the hyperbolic, Euclidean and spherical geometries. In this transitional setting, several geometric entities like points, lines, dis-tances, triangles, angles, area, curvature, etc. as well as trigonometric formulae and other properties transit in a continuous manner from one geometry to another. AMS classification: 01-99 ; 53-02 ; 53-03 ; 53A35.

math.GT↗
arXiv2014

On the works of Euler and his followers on spherical geometry

We review and comment on some works of Euler and his followers on spherical geometry. We start by presenting some memoirs of Euler on spherical trigonometry. We comment on Euler's use of the methods of the calculus of variations in spherical trigonometry. We then survey a series of geometrical resuls, where the stress is on the analogy between the results in spherical geometry and the corresponding results in Euclidean geometry. We elaborate on two such results. The first one, known as Lexell's Theorem (Lexell was a student of Euler), concerns the locus of the vertices of a spherical triangle with a fixed area and a given base. This is the spherical counterpart of a result in Euclid's Elements, but it is much more difficult to prove than its Euclidean analogue. The second result, due to Euler, is the spherical analogue of a generalization of a theorem of Pappus (Proposition 117 of Book VII of the Collection) on the construction of a triangle inscribed in a circle whose sides are contained in three lines that pass through three given points. Both results have many ramifications, involving several mathematicians, and we mention some of these developments. We also comment on three papers of Euler on projections of the sphere on the Euclidean plane that are related with the art of drawing geographical maps.

math.HO↗
arXiv2014

Actions of mapping class groups

This paper has three parts. The first part is a general introduction to rigidity and to rigid actions of mapping class group actions on various spaces. In the second part, we describe in detail four rigidity results that concern actions of mapping class groups on spaces of foliations and of laminations, namely, Thurston's sphere of projective foliations equipped with its projective piecewise-linear structure, the space of unmeasured foliations equipped with the quotient topology, the reduced Bers boundary, and the space of geodesic laminations equipped with the Thurston topology. In the third part, we present some perspectives and open problems on other actions of mapping class groups. The paper will appear in the Handbook of Group actions, vol. I (ed. L. Ji, A. Papadopoulos and S.-T. Yau), Higher Eucation Press and International Press.

math.GT↗
arXiv2014

Mathematics and group theory in music

The purpose of this paper is to show through particular examples how group theory is used in music. The examples are chosen from the theoretical work and from the compositions of Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992), one of the most influential twentieth century composers and pedagogues. Messiaen consciously used mathematical concepts derived from symmetry and groups, in his teaching and in his compositions. Before dwelling on this, I will give a quick overview of the relation between mathematics and music. This will put the discussion on symmetry and group theory in music in a broader context and it will provide the reader of this handbook some background and some motivation for the subject. The relation between mathematics and music, during more than two millennia, was lively, widespread, and extremely enriching for both domains. This paper will appear in the Handbook of Group actions, vol. II (ed. L. Ji, A. Papadopoulos and S.-T. Yau), Higher Eucation Press and International Press.

math.HO↗
arXiv2014

Convex real projective structures and Hilbert metrics

We review some basic concepts related to convex real projective structures from the differential geometry point of view. We start by recalling a Riemannian metric which originates in the study of affine spheres using the Blaschke connection (work of Calabi and of Cheng-Yau) mentioning its relation with the Hilbert metric. We then survey some of the deformation theory of convex real projective structures on surfaces. We describe in particular how the set of (Hilbert) lengths of simple closed curves is used in a parametrization of the deformation space in analogy with the classical Fenchel-Nielsen parameters of Teichmüller space (work of Goldman). We then mention parameters of this deformation space that arise in the work of Hitchin on the character variety of representations of the fundamental group of the surface in $\mathrm{SL}(3,\mathbb{R})$. In this character variety, the component of the character variety that corresponds to projective structures is identified with the vector space of pairs of holomorphic quadratic and cubic differentials over a fixed Riemann surface. Labourie and Loftin (independently) obtained parameter spaces that use the cubic differentials and affine spheres. We then display some similarities and differences between Hilbert geometry and hyperbolic geometry using geodesic currents and topological entropy. Finally, we discuss geodesic flows associated to Hilbert metrics and compactifications of spaces of convex real projective structures on surfaces. This makes another analogy with works done on the Teichmüller space of the surface.

math.GT↗
arXiv2014

On Klein's So-called Non-Euclidean geometry

In two papers titled "On the so-called non-Euclidean geometry", I and II, Felix Klein proposed a construction of the spaces of constant curvature -1, 0 and and 1 (that is, hyperbolic, Euclidean and spherical geometry) within the realm of projective geometry. Klein's work was inspired by ideas of Cayley who derived the distance between two points and the angle between two planes in terms of an arbitrary fixed conic in projective space. We comment on these two papers of Klein and we make relations with other works.

math.MG↗
arXiv2014

From Funk to Hilbert Geometry

We survey some basic geometric properties of the Funk metric of a convex set in $\mathbb{R}^n$. In particular, we study its geodesics, its topology, its metric balls, its convexity properties, its perpendicularity theory and its isometries. The Hilbert metric is a symmetrization of the Funk metric, and we show some properties of the Hilbert metric that follow directly from the properties we prove for the Funk metric.

math.MG↗
arXiv2013

On Hilbert's fourth problem

Hilbert's fourth problem asks for the construction and the study of metrics on subsets of projective space for which the projective line segments are geodesics. Several solutions of the problem were given so far, depending on more precise interpretations of this problem, with various additional conditions satisfied. The most interesting solutions are probably those inspired from an integral formula that was first introduced in this theory by Herbert Busemann. Besides that, Busemann and his school made a thorough investigation of metrics defined on subsets of projective space for which the projective lines are geodesics and they obtained several results, characterizing several classes of such metrics. We review some of the developments and important results related to Hilbert's problem, especially those that arose from Busemann's work, mentioning recent results and connections with several branches of mathematics, including Riemannian geometry, the foundations of mathematics, the calculus of variations, metric geometry and Finsler geometry.

math.HO↗
arXiv2013

On Lobachevsky's trigonometric formulae

We elaborate on some important ideas contained in Lobachevsky's Pangeometry and in some of his other memoirs. The ideas include the following: (1) The trigonometric formulae, which express the dependence between angles and edges of triangles, are not only tools, but they are used as the basic elements of any geometry. In fact, Lobachevsky developed a large set of analytical and geometrical theorems in non-Euclidean geometry using these formulae. (2) Differential and integral calculus are developed in hyperbolic space without the use of any Euclidean model of hyperbolic space. (3) There exist models of spherical and of Euclidean geometry within hyperbolic geometry, and these models are used to prove the hyperbolic trigonometry formulae. (4) If hyperbolic geometry were contradictory, then either Euclidean or spherical geometry would be contradictory. We shall also see that some of these ideas were rediscovered by later mathematicians.

math.HO↗
arXiv2013

Weak Minkowski Spaces

We define the notion of weak Minkowski metric and prove some basic properties of such metrics. We also highlight some of the important analogies between Minkowski geometry and the Funk and Hilbert geometries.

math.DG↗
arXiv2013

Hyperbolic metrics, measured foliations and pants decompositions for non-orientable surfaces

We provide analogues for non-orientable surfaces with or without boundary or punctures of several basic theorems in the setting of the Thurston theory of surfaces which were developed so far only in the case of orientable surfaces. Namely, we provide natural analogues for non-orientable surfaces of the Fenchel-Nielsen theorem on the parametrization of the Teichmüller space of the surface, the Dehn-Thurston theorem on the parametrization of measured foliations in the surface, and the Hatcher-Thurston theorem, which gives a complete minimal set of moves between pair of pants decompositions of the surface. For the former two theorems, one in effect drops the twisting number for any curve in a pants decomposition which is 1-sided, and for the latter, new elementary moves on pants decompositions are introduced.

math.GT↗
arXiv2012

Thurston's metric on Teichmüller space and isomorphisms between Fuchsian groups

The aim of this paper is to relate Thurston's metric on Teichmüller space to several ideas initiated by T. Sorvali on isomorphisms between Fuchsian groups. In particular, this will give a new formula for Thurston's asymmetric metric for surfaces with punctures. We also update some results of Sorvali on boundary isomorphisms of Fuchsian groups.

math.GT↗
arXiv2012

The space of measured foliations of the hexagon

The theory of geometric structures on a surface with nonempty boundary can be developed by using a decomposition of such a surface into hexagons, in the same way as the theory of geometric structures on a surface without boundary is developed using the decomposition of such a surface into pairs of pants. The basic elements of the theory for surfaces with boundary include the study of measured foliations and of hyperbolic structures on hexagons. It turns out that there is an interesting space of measured foliations on a hexagon, which is equipped with a piecewise-linear structure (in fact, a natural cell-decomposition), and this space is a natural boundary for the space of hyperbolic structures with geodesic boundary and right angles on such a hexagon. In this paper, we describe these spaces and the related structures.

math.GT↗
arXiv2012

The Funk and Hilbert geometries for spaces of constant curvature

The goal of this paper is to introduce and study analogues of the Euclidean Funk and Hilbert metrics on open convex subsets $Ω$ of hyperbolic or spherical spaces. At least at a formal level, there are striking similarities among the three cases: Euclidean, spherical and hyperbolic. We start by defining non-Euclidean analogues of the Euclidean Funk weak metric and we give three distinct representations of it in each of the non-Euclidean cases, which parallel the known situation for the Euclidean case. As a consequence, all of these metrics are shown to be Finslerian, and the associated norms of the Finsler metrics are described. The theory is developed by using a set of classical trigonometric identities on the sphere $S^n$ and the hyperbolic space $\mathbb{H}^n$ and the definition of a cross ratio on the non-Euclidean spaces of constant curvature. This in turn leads to the concept of projectivity invariance in these spaces. We then study the geodesics of the Funk and Hilbert metrics. In the case of Euclidean (respectively spherical, hyperbolic) geometry, the Euclidean (respectively spherical, hyperbolic) geodesics are Funk and Hilbert geodesics. Natural projection maps that exist between the spaces $\mathbb{R}^n$, $\mathbb{H}^n$ and the upper hemisphere demonstrate that the theories of Hilbert geometry of convex sets in the three spaces of constant curvature are all equivalent. The same cannot be said about the Funk geometries.

math.GT↗