Geodesic coordinate grid ($(F/\sqrt{G}{)}_v=(\sqrt{G}{)}_u,(F/\sqrt{E}{)}_u=(\sqrt{E}{)}_v$)

For a surface metric $Ed{u}^2+2Fdudv+Gd{v}^2$, all coordinate curves are unparametrized geodesics precisely when the displayed identities hold. Parametrize $u=c$ by arc length, so $\dot{v}=G^{-1/2}$, and substitute into the transverse Euler-Lagrange equation for energy of a curve. This gives the first identity; $v=d$ gives the second. These identities concern geodesic images and do not assert that the coordinate variable itself is an affine parameter.

If the oriented coordinate tangent vectors meet at a constant angle with cosine $k$, the first fundamental form has $F=k\sqrt{EG}$. The geodesic coordinate grid identities reduce to $k(\sqrt{E}{)}_v=(\sqrt{G}{)}_u$ and $k(\sqrt{G}{)}_u=(\sqrt{E}{)}_v$. Since positive definiteness gives $|k|<1$, both derivatives vanish. Thus $E=E(u)$ and $G=G(v)$ locally. Changing coordinates to $U=\int \sqrt{E}du$ and $V=\int \sqrt{G}dv$ gives the constant metric $d{U}^2+2kdUdV+d{V}^2$. It is locally Euclidean after a linear change of coordinates, hence has zero Gaussian curvature.

// Target: geometry-and-topology.bigb