Skip to main content
Log in

The Non-contractibility of Closed Geodesics on Finsler ℝPn

  • Published:
Acta Mathematica Sinica, English Series Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Let (ℝPn, F) be a bumpy and irreversible Finsler n-dimensional real projective space with reversibility λ and flag curvature K satisfying \({({\lambda \over {1 + \lambda}})^2} < K \le 1\) when n is odd, and K ≥ 0 when n is even. We show that if there exist exactly \(2[{{n + 1} \over 2}]\) prime closed geodesics on such (ℝPn, F), then all of them are non-contractible, which coincides with the Katok’s examples.

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.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Anosov, D. V.: Geodesics in Finsler geometry. Proc. I.C.M., (Vancouver, B.C. 1974), 2, 293–297 Montreal (1975) (Russian), Amer. Math. Soc. Transl., 109, 81–85 (1977)

  2. Bangert, V.: On the existence of closed geodesics on two-spheres. Internat. J. Math., 4(1), 1–10 (1993)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  3. Bangert, V., Klingenberg, W.: Homology generated by iterated closed geodesics. Topology, 22, 379–388 (1983)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  4. Bangert, V., Long, Y. M.: The existence of two closed geodesics on every Finsler 2-sphere. Math. Ann., 346, 335–366 (2010)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  5. Chang, K. C.: Infinite Dimensional Morse Theory and Multiple Solution Problems, Birkhauser, Boston, 1993

    Book  Google Scholar 

  6. Duan, H. G., Long, Y. M.: Multiple closed geodesics on bumpy Finsler n-spheres. J. Diff. Equa., 233(1), 221–240 (2007)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  7. Duan, H. G., Long, Y. M.: The index growth and multiplicity of closed geodesics. J. Funct. Anal., 259, 1850–1913 (2010)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  8. Duan, H. G., Long, Y. M., Wang, W.: Two closed geodesics on compact simply-connected bumpy Finsler manifolds. J. Differ. Geom., 104(2), 275–289 (2016)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  9. Duan, H. G., Long, Y. M., Wang, W.: The enhanced common index jump theorem for symplectic paths and non-hyperbolic closed geodesics on Finsler manifolds. Calc. Var. and PDEs., 55(6), 145 (2016)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  10. Duan, H. G., Long, Y. M., Xiao, Y. M.: Two closed geodesics on ℝPn with a bumpy Finsler metric. Calc. Var. and PDEs, 54, 2883–2894 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Franks, J.: Geodesics on S2 and periodic points of annulus homeomorphisms. Invent. Math., 108(2), 403–418 (1992)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  12. Ginzburg, V., Gurel, B., Macarini, L.: Multiplicity of closed Reeb orbits on prequantization bundles. Israel J. Math., 228(1), 407–453 (2018)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  13. Gromoll, D., Meyer, W.: Periodic geodesics on compact Riemannian manifolds. J. Diff. Geom., 3, 493–510 (1969)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  14. Hingston, N.: Equivariant Morse theory and closed geodesics, J. Diff. Geom., 19, 85–116 (1984)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  15. Hingston, N.: On the growth of the number of closed geodesics on the two-sphere. Inter. Math. Research Notices, 9, 253–262 (1993)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  16. Hingston, N., Rademacher, H.-B.: Resonance for loop homology of spheres. J. Differ. Geom. 93, 133–174 (2013)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  17. Katok, A. B.: Ergodic properties of degenerate integrable Hamiltonian systems. Izv. Akad. Nauk. SSSR, 37, (1973), [Russian]; Math. USSR-Izv., 7, 535–571 (1973)

  18. Klingenberg, W.: Lectures on closed geodesics, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1978

    Book  Google Scholar 

  19. Klingenberg, W.: Riemannian Geometry, de Gruyter; 2nd Rev. edition, 1995

  20. Liu, C. G.: The relation of the Morse index of closed geodesics with the Maslov-type index of symplectic paths. Acta Math. Sinica, Engl. Ser., 21, 237–248 (2005)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  21. Liu, C. G., Long, Y. M.: Iterated index formulae for closed geodesics with applications. Science in China Ser. A, 45, 9–28 (2002)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  22. Liu, H.: The Fadell—Rabinowitz index and multiplicity of non-contractible closed geodesics on Finsler ℝPn. J. Diff. Equa., 262, 2540–2553 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Liu, H., Xiao, Y. M.: Resonance identity and multiplicity of non-contractible closed geodesics on Finsler RPn. Adv. Math., 318, 158–190 (2017)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  24. Long, Y. M.: Bott formula of the Maslov-type index theory. Pacific J. Math., 187, 113–149 (1999)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  25. Long, Y. M.: Precise iteration formulae of the Maslov-type index theory and ellipticity of closed characteristics. Adv. Math., 154, 76–131 (2000)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  26. Long, Y. M.: Index Theory for Symplectic Paths with Applications. Progress in Math. 207, Birkhäuser. 2002

  27. Long, Y. M.: Multiplicity and stability of closed geodesics on Finsler 2-spheres. J. Eur. Math. Soc., 8, 341–353 (2006)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  28. Long, Y. M., Duan, H. G.: Multiple closed geodesics on 3-spheres. Adv. Math., 221, 1757–1803 (2009)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  29. Long, Y. M., Wang, W.: Multiple closed geodesics on Riemannian 3-spheres. Calc. Var. and PDEs, 30, 183–214 (2007)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  30. Long, Y., Zhu, C. G.: Closed characteristics on compact convex hypersurfaces in ℝ2n. Ann. Math., 155, 317–368 (2002)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  31. Oancea, A.: Morse theory, closed geodesics, and the homology of free loop spaces, With an appendix by Umberto Hryniewicz. IRMA Lect. Math. Theor. Phys., 24, Free loop spaces in geometry and topology, 67–109, Eur. Math. Soc., Zürich, 2015

  32. Rademacher, H. B.: On the average indices of closed geodesics. J. Diff. Geom., 29, 65–83 (1989)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  33. Rademacher, H. B.: Morse Theorie und geschlossene Geodätische. Bonner Math. Schr., 229, 1992

  34. Rademacher, H. B.: A Sphere Theorem for non-reversible Finsler metrics. Math. Ann., 328, 373–387 (2004)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  35. Rademacher, H. B.: Existence of closed geodesics on positively curved Finsler manifolds. Ergodic Theory Dynam. Systems, 27(3), 957–969 (2007)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  36. Rademacher, H. B.: The second closed geodesic on Finsler spheres of dimension n > 2. Trans. Amer. Math. Soc., 362(3), 1413–1421 (2010)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  37. Taimanov, I. A.: The type numbers of closed geodesics. Regul. Chaotic Dyn., 15(1), 84–100 (2010)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  38. Taimanov, I. A.: The spaces of non-contractible closed curves in compact space forms, Mat. Sb., 207, 105–118 (2016)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  39. Wang, W.: Closed geodesics on positively curved Finsler spheres. Adv. Math., 218, 1566–1603 (2008)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  40. Wang, W.: On a conjecture of Anosov. Adv. Math., 230, 1597–1617 (2012)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  41. Xiao, Y. M., Long, Y. M.: Topological structure of non-contractible loop space and closed geodesics on real projective spaces with odd dimensions. Adv. Math., 279, 159–200 (2015)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  42. Vigué-Poirrier, M., Sullivan, D.: The homology theory of the closed geodesic problem. J. Diff. Geom., 11, 663–644 (1976)

    MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  43. Ziller, W.: The free loop space of globally symmetric spaces. Invent. Math., 41, 1–22 (1977)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  44. Ziller, W.: Geometry of the Katok examples. Ergodic Theory Dynam. Systems, 3, 135–157 (1982)

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hui Liu.

Additional information

The first author was partially supported by National Key R&D Program of China (Grant No. 2020YFA0713300) and NSFC (Grant Nos. 11671215 and 11790271), LPMC of MOE of China and Nankai University; the second author was partially supported by NSFC (Grant Nos. 11771341 and 12022111)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Duan, H.G., Liu, H. The Non-contractibility of Closed Geodesics on Finsler ℝPn. Acta. Math. Sin.-English Ser. 38, 1–21 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10114-021-0023-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10114-021-0023-4

Keywords

MR(2010) Subject Classification

Navigation