Maslov index in semi-Riemannian submersions (Q2638395)

The central issue in this article is to study the Maslov index of a horizontal geodesic. More exactly, the focal points and the Maslov index are studied of a horizontal geodesic \( \nu : I \rightarrow M\) in the total space of a semi-Riemannian submersion \(\pi : M \rightarrow B\) by determining an explicit relation with the corresponding objects along the projective geodesic \(\pi\circ \nu : I \rightarrow B\) in the base space. Also it is proved an invariance property of the Maslov index of a semi-Riemannian geodesic by arbitrary changes of trivialization of the tangent bundle along the geodesic.