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Zhongmin Shen

Publications and source records attributed to Zhongmin Shen.

36 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2013

On Square Metrics of Scalar Flag Curvature

We consider a special class of Finsler metrics --- square metrics which are defined by a Riemannian metric and a 1-form on a manifold. We show that an analogue of the Beltrami Theorem in Riemannian geometry is still true for square metrics in 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. Further, we determine the local structure of such metrics and classify closed manifolds with a square metric of scalar flag curvature in dimension $n\ge 3$.

math.DG↗
arXiv2012

On Einstein square metrics

In this paper, we study an important class of Finsler metrics--square metrics. We give two expressions of such metrics in terms of a Riemannian metric and a 1-form. We show that Einstein square metrics can be classified up to the classification of Einstein Riemannian metrics.

math.DG↗
arXiv2011

Circle-preserving transformations in Finsler spaces

Here, by extending the definition of circle to Finsler geometry, we show that, every circle-preserving local diffeomorphism is conformal. This result implies that in Finsler geometry, the definition of concircular change of metrics, a priori, does not require the conformal assumption.

math.DG↗
arXiv2006

The Topology of Open Manifolds with Nonnegative Ricci Curvature

We survey all results concerning the topology of complete noncompact Riemannian manifolds with nonnegative Ricci curvature that have no additional conditions other than restrictions to the dimension, volume growth or diameter growth of the manifold. We will also present relevant examples and list open problems.

math.DG↗
arXiv2003

Finsler Manifolds with Nonpositive Flag Curvature and Constant S-curvature

The flag curvature is a natural extension of the sectional curvature in Riemannian geometry, and the S-curvature is a non-Riemannian quantity which vanishes for Riemannian metrics. There are (incomplete) non-Riemannian Finsler metrics on an open subset in R^n with negative flag curvature and constant S-curvature. In this paper, we are going to show a global rigidity theorem that every Finsler metric with negative flag curvature and constant S-curvature must be Riemannian if the manifold is compact. We also study the nonpositive flag curvature case.

math.DG↗
arXiv2003

Zermelo navigation on Riemannian manifolds

In this paper, we study Zermelo navigation on Riemannian manifolds and use that to solve a long standing problem in Finsler geometry. Namely, the complete classification of strongly convex Randers metrics of constant flag curvature.

math.DG↗
arXiv2003

On the flag curvature of Finsler metrics of scalar curvature

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 certain non-Riemannian quantities are isotropic. Using the obtained formula for the flag curvature, we classify locally projectively flat Randers metrics with isotropic S-curvature.

math.DG↗
arXiv2003

On Negatively Curved Finsler Manifolds of Scalar Curvature

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.

math.DG↗
arXiv2001

Projectively Flat Finsler Metrics of Constant Curvature

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.

math.DG↗
arXiv2001

Two-dimensional Finsler metrics of constant curvature

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 Finsler metrics of constant curvature has not been completely done yet. These examples are important to the classification problem.

math.DG↗
arXiv2001

Finsler Metrics with K=0 and S=0

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.

math.DG↗
arXiv2001

Funk Metrics and R-Flat Sprays

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.

math.DG↗
arXiv2000

Geometric Meanings of Curvatures in Finsler Geometry

In Finsler geometry, we use calculus to study the geometry of regular inner metric spaces. In this note I will briefly discuss various curvatures and their geometric meanings from the metric geometry point of view, without going into the forest of tensors.

math.DG↗
arXiv2000

The codimension one homology of a complete manifold with nonnegative Ricci curvature

In this paper we prove that a complete noncompact manifold with nonnegative Ricci curvature has a trivial codimension one homology unless it is a split or flat normal bundle over a compact totally geodesic submanifold. In particular, we prove the conjecture that a complete noncompact manifold with positive Ricci curvature has a trivial codimension one integer homology. We also have a corollary stating when the codimension two integer homology of such a manifold is torsion free.

math.DG↗
arXiv2000

Finsler Metrics of Constant Positive Curvature on the Lie Group $s^3$

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 the Yasuda-Shimada theorem. We also explain why this family of Finslerian space forms is NOT projectively flat.

math.DG↗
arXiv1999

Curvature, Diameter and Bounded Betti Numbers

Two main theorems are proved in this paper. Theorem 1: There is a constant C(n, D) depending only on n and D such that for a closed Riemannian n-manifold satisfying Ric > -(n-1) and Diam < D, the ith bounded Betti number is bounded by C(n, D). Here the ith bounded Betti number is defined as the dimension of the image of the ith bounded cohomology in the ith real cohomology. Theorem 2: There are only finitely many isometric isomorphism types of bounded cohomology groups among closed Riemannian n-manifolds satisfying K > -1 and Diam < D. The dimension of the ith bounded cohomology might be infinite. It follows from Theorem 2 that if a closed Riemannian n-manifold satiafies K > -1 and Diam < D, then the dimension of the ith bounded cohomology is either infinite or bounded by a constant C(n, D) depending only on n and D.

math.DG↗
arXiv1999

On Projectively Related Einstein Metrics

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 Einstein constants, then one is a multiple of another. A Riemann metric has two features: length and angle, while a Finsler metric has only one feature: length. In projective metric geometry, the second feature of Riemann metrics is generally not used. Thus, we do not restrict our attention to Riemannian metrics. Our method is ``Finslerian''.

math.MG↗