Inflection points and asymptotic lines on Lagrangian surfaces (Q2252601): Difference between revisions

The author considers two-dimensional Lagrangian surfaces in 4-space. A surface point \(p\) is an inflection point if the dimension of its osculating space is not maximal. The inflection point is called ``flat'' if its curvature ellipse is a radial segment and \(p\) belongs to its boundary. In contrast to generic surfaces, inflection points on Lagrangian surfaces are always flat and do exist unless the surface's Euler characteristic vanishes. At an inflection point, all directions are asymptotic. Using a surface normal form, the author shows that generically the asymptotic line's phase portrait around an inflection point is topologically equivalent to one of two possible types.