Steepest descent curves of convex functions on surfaces of constant curvature (Q1760380)

Let \(S\) be a complete simply connected Riemann surface of constant curvature \(K=0,\pm1\). Here, \(S\) is the hyperbolic plane \((K=-1)\) or the Euclidean plane \((K=0)\) or the sphere \((K=1)\). Let \(\gamma:[a,b]\rightarrow S\) be a rectifiable curve parametrized by arc length so that all points \(\gamma(s)\) for \(s\leq s_0\) are in the same closed half space bounded by the normal to \(\gamma\) at \(s_0\) if \(s_0\in[a,b]\) is a point at which \(\dot\gamma(s_0)\) exists. Such a curve is called a \(G\)-curve; if \(S=S^2\), assume the diameter of \(\gamma([a,b])\) is less than \(\pi\over2\). The authors show in Theorem 1.1. that the length \(\ell(\gamma)\) is less than or equal to the perimeter of the convex hull of \(\gamma\). The authors also show that, for the case \(S=S^2\), there exist curves which are self-involute and that any self-involute is a \(G\)-curve with the maximal length property and thus the upper bound of Theorem 1.1 is in fact sharp. (A similar result concerning involutes was established for \(S\) the Euclidean plane by \textit{P. Manselli} and \textit{C. Pucci} [Geom. Dedicata 38, No. 2, 211--227 (1991; Zbl 0724.52006).]