Gauge group (mathematics)
In mathematics, particularly in the context of differential geometry and theoretical physics, a **gauge group** refers to a group of transformations that can be applied to a system without altering the physical observables of that system. The concept primarily appears in two key areas: gauge theory in physics and in the study of fiber bundles in mathematics. ### 1.
Gauss curvature flow
Gauss curvature flow is a geometric evolution equation that describes the behavior of a surface in terms of its curvature. Specifically, it is a variation of curvature flow that involves the Gaussian curvature of the surface. In mathematical terms, given a surface \( S \) in \( \mathbb{R}^3 \), the Gauss curvature \( K \) is a measure of how the surface bends at each point.
Gauss map
The Gauss map is a mathematical construct used primarily in differential geometry. It associates a surface in three-dimensional space with a unit normal vector at each point of the surface. More specifically, the Gauss map sends each point on a surface to the corresponding point on the unit sphere that represents the normal vector at that point.
Gaussian curvature
Gaussian curvature is a measure of the intrinsic curvature of a surface at a given point. It is defined as the product of two principal curvatures at that point, which are the maximum and minimum curvatures of the surface in two perpendicular directions.
General covariance
General covariance is a principle from the field of theoretical physics and mathematics, particularly in the context of general relativity and differential geometry. It refers to the idea that the laws of physics should take the same form regardless of the coordinate system used to describe them. In other words, the equations that govern physical phenomena should be invariant under arbitrary smooth transformations of the coordinates.
General covariant transformations are a key concept in the field of differential geometry and theoretical physics, particularly in the contexts of general relativity and other theories that utilize a geometric framework for describing physical phenomena. In essence, a general covariant transformation is a transformation that applies to fields and geometric objects defined on a manifold, allowing them to change in a way that is consistent with the structure of that manifold.
Generalized complex structure
A **generalized complex structure** is a mathematical concept that arises in the study of differential geometry, particularly in the context of **generalized complex geometry**. This notion generalizes the classical notions of complex and symplectic structures on smooth manifolds. ### Definition: A **generalized complex structure** on a smooth manifold \(M\) is defined in terms of the tangent bundle of \(M\).
Generalized flag variety
The generalized flag variety is a geometric object that arises in the context of algebraic geometry and representation theory. It can be thought of as a space that parameterizes chains of subspaces of a given vector space, analogous to how a projective space parameterizes lines through the origin in a vector space.
Geodesic
A geodesic is the shortest path between two points on a curved surface or in a curved space. In mathematics and physics, this concept is often applied in differential geometry and general relativity. - **In Geometry**: On a sphere, for example, geodesics are represented by great circles (like the equator or the lines of longitude).
Geodesic manifold
A geodesic manifold is a type of manifold in differential geometry where the notion of distance and the concept of geodesics, which are the shortest paths between points, can be defined. More specifically, it often refers to a Riemannian manifold equipped with a Riemannian metric, allowing for the computation of distances and angles.
Geodesic map
A geodesic map is a type of mapping that represents the shortest paths or geodesics on a curved surface or in a geometric space. In mathematics and differential geometry, a geodesic is the generalization of the concept of a "straight line" to curved spaces. Geodesics are important in various fields, including physics, engineering, and computer graphics.
Gibbons–Hawking ansatz
The Gibbons–Hawking ansatz is a concept in theoretical physics, particularly in the study of gravitational instantons, which are solutions to the classical equations of general relativity. Named after the physicists Gary Gibbons and Stephen Hawking, the ansatz constructs a specific form of metric that is useful for exploring the properties of four-dimensional manifolds, especially in the context of quantum gravity and the study of black hole thermodynamics.
The "Glossary of Riemannian and Metric Geometry" typically refers to a collection of terms and definitions commonly used in the fields of Riemannian geometry and metric geometry. These fields study the properties of spaces that are equipped with a notion of distance and curvature.
A glossary of differential geometry and topology typically includes key terms and concepts that are fundamental to these fields of mathematics. Here are some important terms that you might find in such a glossary: ### Differential Geometry 1. **Differentiable Manifold**: A topological manifold with a structure that allows for the differentiation of functions. 2. **Tangent Space**: The vector space consisting of the tangent vectors at a point on a manifold.
Grassmannian
The Grassmannian is a fundamental concept in the field of mathematics, particularly in geometry and linear algebra. More formally, the Grassmannian \( \text{Gr}(k, n) \) is a space that parameterizes all \( k \)-dimensional linear subspaces of an \( n \)-dimensional vector space. Here, \( k \) and \( n \) are non-negative integers with \( 0 \leq k \leq n \).
Gromov's compactness theorem, often referred to in the context of many areas in geometric analysis and differential geometry, primarily deals with the compactness of certain collections of Riemannian manifolds. It provides a criterion for when a sequence of Riemannian manifolds can be shown to converge in a meaningful way. The theorem applies to families of Riemannian manifolds that are uniformly bounded in terms of geometry, meaning they satisfy certain bounds on curvature, diameter, and volume.
Gromov's inequality is a significant result in the field of differential geometry, particularly concerning the characteristics of complex projective spaces. It provides a lower bound for the volume of a k-dimensional holomorphic submanifold in a complex projective space in relation to the degree of the submanifold and the dimension of the projective space.
Haefliger structure
The Haefliger structure, often referred to in the context of differential geometry and topology, is a specific kind of manifold structure that arises in the study of pseudogroups and foliated spaces. It is named after André Haefliger, who contributed significantly to the classification of certain types of smooth structures on manifolds.
Haken manifold
A Haken manifold is a specific type of 3-manifold in the field of topology, particularly in the study of 3-manifolds and their properties. Named after the mathematician Wolfgang Haken, a Haken manifold is characterized by several important properties that contribute to its structure and classification.
Heat kernel signature
The Heat Kernel Signature (HKS) is a mathematical and geometric concept used primarily in the field of shape analysis and computer graphics. It provides a way to describe and analyze the intrinsic properties of shapes, particularly in 3D geometry. The HKS is related to the heat diffusion process on a manifold; it's derived from the heat kernel, which describes how heat propagates through a space over time.