English

Convex Functions and Spacetime Geometry

Differential Geometry 2017-02-21 v1 General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology High Energy Physics - Theory Mathematical Physics math.MP

Abstract

Convexity and convex functions play an important role in theoretical physics. To initiate a study of the possible uses of convex functions in General Relativity, we discuss the consequences of a spacetime (M,gμν)(M,g_{\mu \nu}) or an initial data set (Σ,hij,Kij)(\Sigma, h_{ij}, K_{ij}) admitting a suitably defined convex function. We show how the existence of a convex function on a spacetime places restrictions on the properties of the spacetime geometry.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1702.05584,
  title  = {Convex Functions and Spacetime Geometry},
  author = {Gary W. Gibbons and Akihiro Ishibashi},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1702.05584},
  year   = {2017}
}

Comments

In the light of recent renewed interest in this topic (see arxiv: 1510.04228 and 1702.02652) we are submitting this brief summary of our old results presented by A.I. at the International Workshop: Frontiers of Cosmology and Gravitation held in Kyoto in 2001.and published in the proceedings. See also arXiv:gr-qc/0011055

R2 v1 2026-06-22T18:21:54.368Z