On the existence of almost contact structure and the contact magnetic field (Q987588): Difference between revisions

Let \((M^3,g)\) be an oriented \(3\)-dimensional Riemannian manifold. The authors give a simple proof for the existence of an almost contact structure \((\phi, \xi, \eta)\) on the \(M^3\) such that \(g(\varphi(X),\varphi(Y))= g(X,Y)-\eta(X)\eta(Y)\) for any \(X,Y\in \mathfrak{X}(M^3)\), where \(\varphi(X)\) is just the cross product of the vector fields \(\xi\) and \(X\) on \(M^3\). The proof is based on a standard topological result, namely, if \(M^m\) is a connected orientable manifold, the following assertions are equivalent: (i) There is a nonvanishing vector field on \(M^m\); (ii) Either \(M^m\) is noncompact, or \(M^m\) is compact and has Euler characteristic \(\chi(M^m)=0\) [see for example \textit{B. O'Neill}, Semi-Riemannian geometry. With applications to relativity, Pure and Applied Mathematics, 103. New York-London etc.: Academic Press (1983; Zbl 0531.53051) or \textit{M. Spivak}, A comprehensive introduction to differential geometry. Vol. I, Berkeley, California: Publish or Perish (1979; Zbl 0439.53001)]. In particular, let \((M^3, \varphi, \xi, \eta, g)\) be a \(3\)-dimensional Sasakian manifold. In this case, the vector field \(\xi\) is Killing and it has an associated closed \(2\)-form \(F_\xi\) on \(M^3\) called the contact magnetic field. A normal magnetic flowline of \(F_\xi\) is a smooth parametrized curve \(\gamma\) in \(M^3\) that satisfies the Lorentz force equation \(\nabla_{\gamma'}\gamma'=-\varphi(\gamma')\), where \(\nabla\) denotes the Levi-Civita connection associated to \(g\), and it is arc-length parametrized. Taking into account the above mentioned expression of \(\varphi\) in terms of the cross product, the authors show that these normal magnetic flowlines are the helices of axis \(\xi\) with constant curvature \(\sin\theta_0\) and torsion \(1-\cos \theta_0\), where \(\theta_0\) is the constant angle between \(\gamma'(t)\) and \(\xi_{\gamma(t)}\).