Geodesics on loop spaces (Q687773): Difference between revisions

The space of smooth embedded loops \(E(S^ 1,M) \subset C^ \infty(S^ 1,M)\) in a Riemannian manifold \((M,g)\) carries a (weak) Riemannian metric \[ G(\gamma)(s_ 1,s_ 2) = \int_{S^ 1} g(s_ 1(t),s_ 2(t))\text{vol}(\gamma^* g)(t), \] where \(s_ i \in T_ \gamma C^ \infty(S^ 1,M)\) `is' the space of all vector fields along \(\gamma\), which is invariant under the right action of the diffeomorphism group \(\text{Diff}(S^ 1)\), and another one, \(\widehat{G}\), where one integrates with respect to \(dt\) instead of the induced measure. This paper discusses the Levi-Civita connection of these metrics and computes one simple example of a geodesic. The problem is already treated in the following papers in more generality by \textit{E. Binz} [Monatsh. Math. 89, 275-288 (1980; Zbl 0428.58006)] and by \textit{G. Kainz} [ibid. 98, 211-217 (1984; Zbl 0547.58016)].