Finslerian metric functions over the product \(\mathbb{R}\times M\) and their potential applications (Q1290345)

Some properties of an interesting class of Finsler metric functions are studied. These functions are basically quadratic in the tangent coordinates and are natural generalizations of spherically symmetric static Riemannian metrics. A convenient set of transformations is given which maps indicatrix metrics into constant curvature Riemannian metrics and can be extended to produce general nonlinear mappings of this class of Finsler metric functions to quasi-Euclidean spaces. The paper develops no connections or other geometry beyond the level of metrics, but several possibilities for physical applications are mentioned.