Graphs and metric 2-step nilpotent Lie algebras (Q1653976)

Starting from previous papers by \textit{S. G. Dani} and the last author [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 357, No. 6, 2235--2251 (2005; Zbl 1061.22008)] and \textit{A. Kaplan} [Geom. Dedicata 11, 127--136 (1981; Zbl 0495.53046)], the authors study in this paper the geometry of 2-step nilpotent Lie algebras by using their finite, simple, directed associated graphs. Particularly, they deal with Heisenberg-like Lie algebras, introduced by \textit{R. Gornet} and \textit{M. B. Mast} [Ann. Sci. Éc. Norm. Supér. (4) 33, No. 2, 181--209 (2000; Zbl 0968.53036)], which are a generalization of the well-known Heisenberg-type Lie algebras. Heisenberg-like Lie algebras are characterized by an abundance of 3-dimensional totally geodesic subalgebras. The authors prove in the first place that a 2-step nilpotent Lie algebra constructed from a connected graph is a Heisenberg-like Lie algebra if and only if the graph is a star graph or a complete graph on three vertices. After that, the results that they obtain concern the density of closed geodesics property for nilmanifolds arising from 2-step nilpotent Lie algebras associated to graphs. Indeed, as the main result, they prove that fixed a 2-step nilpotent Lie algebra constructed from a star graph or a complete graph \(G\) on three vertices, then there exists a lattice \(\Gamma \subset N\) such that the quotient space \(\Gamma / N\) has the density of closed geodesics property. That result allows them to connect graph theory, 2-step nilpotent Lie algebras and the density of closed geodesics property.