Skip to main content
Log in

A Characterisation for Finsler Metrics of Constant Curvature and a Finslerian Version of Beltrami Theorem

  • Published:
The Journal of Geometric Analysis Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We define a Weyl-type curvature tensor that provides a characterisation for Finsler metrics of constant flag curvature. When the Finsler metric reduces to a Riemannian metric, the Weyl-type curvature tensor reduces to the classical projective Weyl tensor. In the general case, the Weyl-type curvature tensor differs from the Weyl projective curvature, it is not a projective invariant, and hence Beltrami Theorem does not work in Finsler geometry. We provide the relation between the Weyl-type curvature tensors of two projectively related Finsler metrics. Using this formula we show that a projective deformation preserves the property of having constant flag curvature if and only if the projective factor is a Hamel function. This way we provide a Finslerian version of Beltrami Theorem.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Akbar-Zadeh, H.: Initiation to Global Finslerian Geometry. Elsevier, North-Holland (2006)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  2. Bao, D., Chern, S.-S., Shen, Z.: An Introduction to Riemann–Finsler Geometry. Springer, GMT, New York (2000)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  3. Bucataru, I., Muzsnay, Z.: Projective and Finsler metrizability: parameterization rigidity of the geodesics. Int. J. Math. 23(9), 1250099-1–1250099-15 (2012)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  4. Bucataru, I., Muzsnay, Z.: Sprays metrizable by Finsler functions of constant flag curvature. Differ. Geom. Appl. 31(3), 405–415 (2013)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  5. Grifone, J., Muzsnay, Z.: Variational Principles for Second-Order Differential Equations. World Scientific, Singapore (2000)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  6. Li, B., Shen, Z.: Sprays of isotropic curvature. Int. J. Math. 29(1), 1850003-1–1850003-12 (2018)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  7. Matsumoto, M.: Foundations of Finsler Geometry and Special Finsler Spaces. Kaiseisha Press, Otsu (1986)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  8. Matveev, V.: Projectively invariant objects and the index of the group of affine transformations in the group of projective transformations. Bull. Iran. Math. Soc. 44(2), 341–375 (2018)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  9. Najafi, B., Tayebi, A.: Finsler metrics of scalar flag curvature and projective invariants. Balk. J. Geom. Appl. 15(2), 82–91 (2010)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  10. Shen, Z.: Differential Geometry of Spray and Finsler Spaces. Springer, New York (2001)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  11. Shen, Z.: Projectively flat Finsler metrics of constant flag curvature. Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 355(4), 1713–1728 (2002)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  12. Sinha, B.B., Matharoo, A.S.: On Finsler spaces of constant curvature. Indian J. Pure Appl. Math. 17(1), 66–73 (1986)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  13. Szilasi, J., Lovas, R., Kertész, D.: Connections, Sprays and Finsler Structures. World Scientific, Singapore (2014)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We express our thanks to Vladimir Matveev, Zhongmin Shen and József Szilasi for their comments and suggestions on this work. This work is supported by Ministry of Research and Innovation within Program 1—Development of the national RD system, Subprogram 1.2— Institutional Performance—RDI excellence funding projects, Contract no. 34PFE/19.10.2018.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ioan Bucataru.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Bucataru, I., Creţu, G. A Characterisation for Finsler Metrics of Constant Curvature and a Finslerian Version of Beltrami Theorem. J Geom Anal 30, 617–631 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12220-019-00158-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12220-019-00158-7

Keywords

Mathematics Subject Classification

Navigation