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Left-invariant Pseudo-Riemannian metrics on Lie groups: The null cone

Differential Geometry 2024-11-07 v2 Mathematical Physics Group Theory math.MP

Abstract

We study left-invariant pseudo-Riemannian metrics on Lie groups using the bracket flow of the corresponding Lie algebra. We focus on metrics where the Lie algebra is in the null cone of the G=O(p,q)G=O(p,q)-action; i.e., Lie algebras μ\mu where zero is in the closure of the orbits: 0Gμ0\in\overline{G\cdot \mu}. We provide examples of such Lie groups in various signatures and give some general results. For signatures (1,q)(1,q) and (2,q)(2,q) we classify all cases belonging to the null cone. More generally, we show that all nilpotent and completely solvable Lie algebras are in the null cone of some O(p,q)O(p,q) action. In addition, several examples of non-trivial Levi-decomposable Lie algebras in the null cone are given.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2402.03536,
  title  = {Left-invariant Pseudo-Riemannian metrics on Lie groups: The null cone},
  author = {Sigbjorn Hervik},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2402.03536},
  year   = {2024}
}

Comments

22pages, 1 figure, V2: Changed structure, fixed typos. To appear in Diff. Geo. Appl