Convexity and curvature in Lorentzian geometry

A space-time satisfies $\mathcal{R} \geq K $ if the sectional curvatures are bounded below by $K$ for spacelike planes and above by $K$ for timelike planes (similarly, a space-time satisfies $\mathcal{R} \leq K$ if the aforementioned inequalities are reversed). We demonstrate that these curvature bound conditions together with convex functions are effective means to study the geometry of space-times. Chapter 3 explores the relation between convex functions and geodesic connectedness of space-times. We give geometric-topological proofs of geodesic connectedness for classes of space-times to which known methods do not apply. For instance, a null-disprisoning space-time is geodesically connected if it supports a proper, nonnegative strictly convex function whose critical set is a point. In particular, timelike strictly convex hypersurfaces of Minkowski space (which are prototypical examples of space-times satisfying $\mathcal{R} \geq 0$) are geodesically connected. Chapter 4 explores the relationship between so-called $\lambda$-convex functions ($ \hess f(x,x) \geq \lambda \langle x,x \rangle $), curvature bounds, and trapped submanifolds. We show that certain types of trapped submanifolds can be ruled out for domains of space-times satisfying $\mathcal{R} \leq K$. Using the full curvature bound condition $\mathcal{R} \leq K$ allows us to extend previous results that use timelike sectional curvature bounds to rule out trapped submanifolds in the chronological future of a point.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mathematics

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2017

Author dc:creator

• Karr, William Alexander

Contributors dc:contributor

• Alexander, Stephanie B.
• Tyson, Jeremy
• Bishop, Richard L.
• Leininger, Christopher

• Space-time
• Curvature
• Convexity
• Convex functions
• Geodesics

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2017 William A. Karr

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/98106

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/98106