Questions tagged [isometries]
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106 questions
4
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Where to begin in Computational Group Theory?
I'm coding a small application that looks for periodic solutions to the gravitational n-body problem. I'm trying to better understanding the symmetries of solutions, which is made up of the product of ...
4
votes
1
answer
255
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Isometry group of a left-invariant Riemannian metric on $\mathrm{SU}(2)$
Recall that
\begin{equation}
\mathbb{S}^3=\operatorname{SU}(2)=\left\{
\begin{pmatrix}
z&w\\
-\bar{w}&\bar{z}
\end{pmatrix}
,|z|^2+|w|^2=1
\right\}
\end{...
0
votes
0
answers
34
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Proving that Euclidean Jordan algebra automorphisms are orthogonal symmetric cone automorphisms
Recall the setting of,
Jacques Faraut and Adam Korányi. Analysis on Symmetric Cones. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1994. ISBN 9780198534778.
Namely, suppose that,
$\left(V,\circ,\left<\cdot,\cdot\...
1
vote
1
answer
129
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$\operatorname{Hess}r$ is scalar matrix $\implies$ $M$ is isometric to the space form
I'm trying to prove the rigidity part of a theorem in my paper, which requires the use of the classical Hessian comparison theorem's rigidity part:
$$\DeclareMathOperator\sn{sn}\operatorname{Hess}r=\...
3
votes
1
answer
221
views
Unitary versus isometric operators
Let $\mathbb H$ be a Hilbert space, and let $\mathcal B(\mathbb H)$ be the space of bounded operators on $\mathbb H$, equipped with the operator-norm topology. Let
$\mathbb R\ni t\mapsto A(t)\in \...
1
vote
0
answers
92
views
Instantaneous rotation field in relation to a developable surface
I have a ruled surface, let it be given by $\Sigma: U \subset \mathbb{R}^2 \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^3$ parametrized by $(u,v)$ with the rulings along the $u$-lines. Now, let $X: U \subset \mathbb{R}^2 \...
2
votes
1
answer
139
views
Are two metric spaces isometric if they have the same $\varepsilon$-covering and $\varepsilon$-packing numbers for all $\varepsilon>0$?
Let $(X, d)$ be a compact metric space.
We say that $\{x_1, \cdots, x_n\} \subseteq X$ is an $\varepsilon$-covering of $X$ if for any $x \in X$, there exists $i \in \{1, \ldots, n\}$ such that $d(x, ...
10
votes
4
answers
711
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Palais's and Kobayashi's theorems on automorphism groups of geometric structures
My question concerns two results in the neighborhood of the standard theorem of Myers-Steenrod that isometry groups of Riemannian manifolds are Lie groups. Both appear in the first chapter of ...
2
votes
1
answer
259
views
Are two metric spaces isometric if they have the same $\varepsilon$-covering numbers for all $\varepsilon>0$?
Let $(E, d)$ be a metric space. For $\varepsilon>0$, we define two notions of $\varepsilon$-covering number as follows, i.e.,
$N_\varepsilon^o (E)$ is the smallest number of open balls whose radii ...
4
votes
1
answer
292
views
Is every 1-Lipschitz homeomorphism $f:X\to X$ from a compact metric space to itself an isometry?
I found a statement involving a homeomorphism $f:X\to X$ of a compact metric space $X$, with Lipshitz coefficient 1, i.e., a non-expansive map, and cannot think of an example where $f$ is not an ...
7
votes
2
answers
257
views
Are polyhedra with equilateral triangular faces rigid?
Convex polyhedra are rigid by Cauchy’s theorem. Steffen’s polyhedron is an example of a non-convex polyhedron that is flexible (i.e., non-rigid). However, it appears to have edges of different lengths....
3
votes
1
answer
132
views
If $X,X'$ have the same $\varepsilon$-packing numbers and $f:X \to X'$ surjective $1$-Lipschitz, then $f$ is an isometry
Let $(X, d)$ be a compact metric space.
We say that $\{x_1, \cdots, x_n\} \subseteq X$ is an $\varepsilon$-covering of $X$ if for any $x \in X$, there exists $i \in \{1, \ldots, n\}$ such that $d(x, ...
6
votes
1
answer
370
views
Does the isometry group determine the Riemannian metric?
Suppose $G \subset \text{Iso}(M)$ is a Lie group acting smoothly on a (pseudo-)Riemannian manifold $(M, g)$. Then $G$ induces a Lie algebra of Killing vectors on $M$. In this paper by Goenner and ...
5
votes
1
answer
293
views
All-set-homogeneous spaces
This is a follow-up to the question of Joseph O'Rourke Which metric spaces have this superposition property?
A metric space $X$ will be called all-set-homogeneous if for any subset $A\subset X$ any ...
0
votes
1
answer
190
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Are the ideals in two $C^*$-algebras the same?
Let $V_{1}, V_{2}$ be the commuting isometries. By Wold decomposition theorem, we know that $V_{i}$ admits decomposition $$V_i \cong V^s_{i}\oplus V^{u}_{i},$$ where $V^{s}_{i}$ is the shift and $V^{u}...
1
vote
1
answer
300
views
Isometries of Hilbert space
It is easy to see that for any $x$ and $y$ on the unit sphere of a Hilbert space $H$ there exists a surjective isometry $U$ such that $Ux=y$. Does something more general also hold? That is, given two ...
6
votes
0
answers
149
views
What is the minimum $n$ for which $\Bbb H^3$ can be isometrically embedded in $\Bbb R^n$ as a bounded set?
Consider the hyperbolic $3$-space $\Bbb H^3$ (i.e., the unique, simply-connected, $3$-dimensional complete Riemannian manifold with a constant negative sectional curvature equal to $-1$). The Nash ...
4
votes
2
answers
341
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A space isometric to $\ell_\infty^2$
Consider a norm on $\mathbb C^2$ as $\|(z_1,z_2)\|:=\max\{|z_1|,|z_2|,\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}|z_1+iz_2|\}.$
Question. Is $(\mathbb C^2,\|.\|)$ linearly isometric to $(\mathbb C^2,\|.\|_{\infty})$ where $\|(...
11
votes
1
answer
339
views
What is an example of two Banach spaces $X,Y$ such that $X$ embeds isometrically but not linearly into $Y$?
By a result of Godefroy and Kalton if $X,Y$ are separable Banach spaces and $X$ embeds isometrically into $Y$, then $X$ embeds with a linear isometry into $Y$.
Is this result known to fail for ...
4
votes
2
answers
284
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Fixed points on spherical buildings
A crucial aspect of the Bruhat–Tits theory of affine buildings is the Bruhat–Tits fixed-point theorem, which, in one of many formulations, states that, if $\Gamma$ is a group of isometries of an ...
8
votes
3
answers
629
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Realizing mapping classes as isometries?
Let $\phi : M \to M$ be a diffeomorphism. Is there a metric $g$ on $M$ and a diffeomorphism $\psi$ isotopic to $\phi$ so that $\psi$ is an isometry with respect to $g$? I'm guessing the answer is no,...
9
votes
1
answer
334
views
Can a knotted sphere isometrically embed into $\mathbb R^3$?
All smooth simple closed curves in $\mathbb R^3$ (knotted or not) can be isometrically embedded into $\mathbb R^2$ as a circle of equal arclength.
The situation for knotted spheres seems more ...
2
votes
0
answers
320
views
What are examples of "perfect tensors"?
A "perfect tensor" is defined on the nLab very abstractly as "its tensor/hom-adjuncts $V^{\otimes k} \to V^{\otimes n - k}$ for $k \le n/2$ are isometries". The only example I'm ...
-1
votes
1
answer
244
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Isometry between Minkowski space and Tangent space in an article by Stefan Waldmann [closed]
In the notes Geometric Wave Equations by Stefan Waldmann at page 70 they have
Having a fixed Lorentz metric $g$ on a spacetime manifold $M$ we can
now transfer the notions of special relativity, ...
3
votes
0
answers
115
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Isometric embeddings of $c_0$ into metric spaces
Are there any nice and useful criteria or theorems which assert when a given metric space $M$ contains an isometric (not necessarily linear) copy of the Banach space $c_0$ or its unit ball $B_{c_0}$? (...
16
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5
answers
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Which metric spaces have this superposition property?
Let $A \subset X$ and $B \subset X$ be two isometric subsets of a metric space $X$. So there is an isometry $f: A \to B$.
Say that a metric space $X$ has the superposition property (my terminology) ...
1
vote
1
answer
523
views
Stochastic Integral + conditional expectation
Let $\overline{\widehat{Z}_i} = \frac{E_i\left[ \int_{t_i}^{t_{i+1}}\widehat{Z}_sds\right] }{\Delta t_i}$ with $\widehat{Z}$ a square integrable process, $\Delta t_i := t_{i+1} - t_i$, and $E_i$ ...
2
votes
0
answers
135
views
Does a lifted functor on $\mathbf{1Met}$ preserve isometries?
Let $\mathbf{1Met}$ denote the category of metric spaces with distance bounded by $1$ and nonexpansive maps ($1$-Lipschitz functions). I call isometry a distance-preserving map (some people require it ...
25
votes
6
answers
3k
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Isometric embedding of SO(3) into an euclidean space
Consider $SO(3)$ with its bi-invariant metric and $R^n$ the euclidean space of dimension $n$. What is the minimal value of $n$ such that there exists an isometric embedding $f: SO(3) \to R^n$?
15
votes
1
answer
2k
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Uniform distribution of points on Riemannian manifolds
Recently, I came across a beautiful paper by Arnol'd and Krylov (Uniform distribution of points on a sphere...) that contains the following theorem:
Theorem: Let A and B be two rotations of the ...
2
votes
1
answer
602
views
Separable Banach spaces isometric to quotient of a Banach space
We know that every separable Banach space is isometrically isomorphic to a quotient space of $(\ell^1,\|.\|_1)$. We also know that the norm defined by $\|x\|=(\|x\|_1^2+\|x\|_2^2)^{1/2}$ for all $x\in ...
22
votes
6
answers
1k
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Under what conditions $\|x-y\|=n\iff\|f(x)-f(y)\|=n.$ for $n\in\mathbf{N}$ implies isometry?
Let $X, Y$ be normed space and $f:X\to Y$ be a mapping. Assume that for all $n\in\mathbf{N}$, $$\|x-y\|=n\iff\|f(x)-f(y)\|=n.$$
Under what conditions this map will be an isometry?
Thanks
14
votes
1
answer
925
views
What are the applications of the Mazur-Ulam Theorem?
Every bijective isometry between normed spaces is affine. This well-known and beautiful statement, the Mazur-Ulam Theorem, was proved in 1932, but the proof has been simplified and polished in years, ...
13
votes
3
answers
2k
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Isometry group of a compact hyperbolic surface
Consider a compact surface $M$ of genus $g \geq 2$ with a metric of constant negative curvature. My question is, is it known under what sorts of sufficient conditions such a metric will have non-...
20
votes
2
answers
1k
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If all balls at $x$ and $y$ are isometric is there an isometry sending $x$ to $y$?
Let $(X,d)$ be a metric space and $x,y \in X$. Assume that for all $r > 0$ the balls $B_r(x)$ and $B_r(y)$ are isometric.
Is it true that there exists an isometry of $X$ sending $x$ to $y$?
1
vote
0
answers
187
views
Does there exist an isometry between a regular polygon and a circle?
In order to define the question in a meaningful fashion, I am referring to a smooth manifold $\mathcal{M}$ within an $\epsilon$-neighborhood of a regular polygon $\mathcal{P}$ satisfying $$\max\{\|x-p\...
12
votes
1
answer
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Isometry group of pseudo Riemannian manifold always a Lie group? (Myers-Steenrod)
Myers-Steenrod states that the isometry group of a Riemannian manifold is a Lie group. Is that also true for pseudo Riemannian manifolds? I didn't find anything related to that.
Cheers
2
votes
1
answer
304
views
3D similarities and quaternions?
As is well-known, in dimension 2, a linear map $f : \mathbb{R}^2 \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^2$ is a direct similarity if, once we identify $\mathbb{R}^2$ with $\mathbb{C}$, $f$ is of the form
$$\forall z \...
16
votes
2
answers
967
views
Tweetable way to see Riemannian isometries are harmonic?
$\newcommand{\al}{\alpha}$
$\newcommand{\euc}{\mathcal{e}}$
$\newcommand{\Cof}{\operatorname{Cof}}$
$\newcommand{\Det}{\operatorname{Det}}$
Smooth Riemannian isometries are harmonic. Can one conclude ...
13
votes
3
answers
2k
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Is there a global obstruction for a diffeomorphism to be an isometry?
Let $V$ be a finite dimensional vector space.
Let us call an automorphism $T:V\rightarrow V$ admissible if there exists an inner product $\langle , \rangle$ on $V$ making $T$ an isometry.
We know $T$...
5
votes
2
answers
318
views
Doubly-stochastic partial-isometric matrices
An $n\times n$ matrix $A$ with nonegative real entries $a_{ij}$ is said to be doubly stochastic if $\sum_{i=1}^na_{ij} = 1$,
for all $j$, and $\sum_{j=1}^na_{ij}=1$, for all $i$.
Much is known [1] ...
8
votes
2
answers
602
views
If $E\oplus_\phi E \cong E\oplus_\psi E,$ does it imply that $\phi= \psi$?
Let $E\neq \{0\}$ be a Banach space.
For each $p\in[1,\infty), $ we define
$$E\oplus_p E = \{(x,y): x\in E, y\in E, \|(x,y)\| = \sqrt[p]{\|x\|^p + \|y\|^p}\}.$$
Let $F$ be another Banach space.
By $E\...
3
votes
1
answer
454
views
Pogorelov's rigidity theorem vs Cohn-Vossen rigidity theorem
There is the following rigidity theorem of Cohn-Vossen as stated on p. 86 of these lecture notes: http://www.math.brown.edu/~deigen/chern.pdf
Any isometry between two closed smooth convex surfaces (...
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votes
2
answers
1k
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Are there some intrinsic invariants of surfaces other than Gaussian curvature?
The principal curvatures of a surface is denoted by $\kappa_{1}, \kappa_{2}$.
Let $P(x,y)$ be a polynomial with real coefficients. Assume that $P(\kappa_{1}, \kappa_{2})$ is an intrinsically ...
-2
votes
1
answer
517
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Local isometry implies covering map: nonempty boundary case [closed]
The following theorem is well known in the literature:
Let $M$ and $N$ be riemannian manifolds and let $f : M \to N$ be a local isometry. If $M$ is complete and $N$ is connected, then $f$ is a ...
1
vote
0
answers
143
views
Ideal Ford domain (for finite index subgroup)
Let $G$ be a lattice Fuchsian group with parabolic elements, seen as a discrete subgroup of matrices
$
g=
\begin{pmatrix}
\alpha & \overline{\beta} \\
\beta & \overline{\alpha}
\end{pmatrix}
$...
-1
votes
1
answer
113
views
Isometric stratification preserves volume?
Let $K\subset \mathbb{R}^k$ be a non-empty compact subset let $f:K \to K$ be Lipschitz and surjective. If, moreover, $f$ is an isometry then clearly $f$ preserves the Lebesgue measure of $K$.
I ...
4
votes
0
answers
101
views
Isometries of fiber bundles
Let $F\to S\overset{\pi}{\to} B$ a Riemannian submersion with totally geodesic fibers.
Question: How much information about the isometries of $S$ we have if we know the isometries of $F$ and $B$? For ...
3
votes
0
answers
104
views
Every partial isometry extends
I am interested in metric spaces $X$ where every isometry between two subsets of the space extends to a full isometry $X \to X$. Is there a name for this kind of space? Is there some paper which ...
6
votes
1
answer
185
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Cohn-Vossen rigidity theorem in hyperbolic space
There is the following rigidity theorem of Cohn-Vossen as stated on p. 86 of these lecture notes: http://www.math.brown.edu/~deigen/chern.pdf
Any isometry between two closed smooth convex surfaces in ...