English

Geodesically reversible Finsler 2-spheres of constant curvature

Differential Geometry 2008-01-02 v2

Abstract

A Finsler space is said to be geodesically reversible if each oriented geodesic can be reparametrized as a geodesic with the reverse orientation. A reversible Finsler space is geodesically reversible, but the converse need not be true. In this note, building on recent work of LeBrun and Mason, it is shown that a geodesically reversible Finsler metric of constant flag curvature on the 2-sphere is necessarily projectively flat. As a corollary, using a previous result of the author, it is shown that a reversible Finsler metric of constant flag curvature on the 2-sphere is necessarily a Riemannian metric of constant Gauss curvature, thus settling a long-standing problem in Finsler geometry.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.math/0407514,
  title  = {Geodesically reversible Finsler 2-spheres of constant curvature},
  author = {Robert L. Bryant},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:math/0407514},
  year   = {2008}
}

Comments

11 pages, references added, some arguments improved and exposition rearranged