Birth of bitangencies in a family of surfaces in \(\mathbb{R}^{4}\) (Q2507684)

In his previous papers the author found a formula for the number of line bitangencies on a generic surface in \(\mathbb{R}^4\), relating it to the number of double points, the normal Euler number and a ``diagonal contribution''. In this paper he shows where the transitions in the number of bitangencies occur in a generic one-parameter family of surfaces. He presents three major results: 1. the ``diagonal contribution'' is described as a linking number between the parabolic curve and the flecnodal normal curve; 2. necessary conditions are found for local birth or death of a bitangency. The point in which such a transition occurs is called a full flecnodal point; 3. necessary conditions are found for non-local birth, death or transition of a bitangency. His main theorem is the following: Let \(S_t\) be a generic one-parameter family of surfaces in \(\mathbb{R}^4\). Then the only possible transitions in the set of a bitangencies are: (1) A birth/death of a bitangency at a full flecnodal point. (2) A birth/death of a pair of opposite-signed bitangencies at a degenerate bitangency. (3) A birth/death of two double points and two negative bitangencies at a degenerate double point if the sectional curvatures at the degenerate bitangency agree in sign. (4) A transition from two double points to two positive bitangencies at a degenerate double point if the sectional curvatures at the degenerate bitangency disagree in sign.