On harmonic vector fields (Q1199353)

The present paper brings some very interesting contributions on harmonic vector fields considered as mappings from a Riemannian manifold \((M,g)\) to \((TM,G)\). The metric \(G\) on the tangent bundle \(TM\) is a Sasakian metric or another, naturally associated to \(g\). The theory of prolongation of geometric objects from a manifold \(M\) to its tangent bundle has considerably developed in the last 30 years. Many results are to be found in the monograph [\textit{K. Yano} and \textit{S. Ishihara}, Tangent and cotangent bundles (1973; Zbl 0262.53024)], but there are also remarkable papers written after this book has been published. As regards harmonic mappings in connection with the above mentioned theory, we recall the paper of \textit{R. Caddeo} and \textit{A. Sanini} [Rend. Semin. Fac. Sci. Univ. Cagliari 57, No. 2, 123-130 (1987; Zbl 0676.53062)]. Among the main results of the paper we mention: 1) Let \((M,g)\) be a compact Riemannian manifold and \(X\in {\mathcal X}(M)\). Then \(X\) is harmonic with respect to Sasaki metric on \(TM\) if and only if \(X\) is parallel. 2) Let \((M,g)\) be a pseudo-Riemannian manifold and let \(TM\) be equipped with the metric II or I + II then a vector field \(X\in {\mathcal X}(M)\) is harmonic with respect to these metrics if and only if \(\Delta X + \text{trace }R(X,x)x=0\). (For the metrics II and I + II see the above mentioned book). Many interesting corollaries are obtained.