On a monodromy theorem for sheaves of local fields and applications (Q1674100)

The property of global extension of locally defined Killing vector fields, or conformal vector fields in a semi-Riemannian manifold, has played a crucial role in the proofs of several important results, e.g., in the proof by \textit{G. D'Ambra} [Invent. Math. 92, No. 3, 555--565 (1988; Zbl 0647.53046)] that the isometry group of a compact simply connected analytic Lorentz manifold is compact. Recently, the question of (unique) extensibility of local Killing vector fields in Ricci-flat Lorentz manifolds has been studied by \textit{A. D. Ionescu} and \textit{S. Klainerman} [J. Am. Math. Soc. 26, No. 2, 563--593 (2013; Zbl 1276.53023)], in the setting of the black hole rigidity problem. It is to be expected that an analogous extension property should play an important role also for more general sheaves of local vector fields defined on a differentiable manifold. In the present paper, the authors explore this question in geometric problems that have not been studied in the literature so far, like for instance in Finsler or pseudo-Finsler manifolds. The authors provide a comprehensive overview of the history of this important extension problem.