Finsler space \(\mathcal F_{PD}\) of positive-definite type gives rise to a lenticular extension of Maxwell's distribution law (Q1973698)

The author considers the tangent bundle \(TK\) of a product manifold \(K = M\times \mathbb{R}\), where \(\mathbb{R}\) is the real line and \(M\) is an \((N-2)\)-dimensional manifold at least of class \(C^4\). He assumes that \(M\) is endowed with a Riemannian metric \(r_{ab}\) and prolonges it to a Riemannian metric \(R_{pq}\) on \(K\) depending on two positive scalars on \(K\). Then he defines a Finsler fundamental function as the product of the quadratic form of \(R_{pq}\) by a factor \(j(w)\) depending on point and direction, and calls the Finsler space obtained on this way a \(F_{PD}\)-space. Although the factor \(j(w)\) is quite complicated, the \(F_{PD}\) -spaces have very nice properties. The determinant of the their Finsler metric is positive on the slit tangent bundle. The Cartan torsion tensor \(C_{pqr}\) has a simple special algebraic form. The third Cartan tensor is of special type \(S_{pqrs}= S^*(h_{pr}h_{qs}-h_{ps}h_{qr}))\) for a function \(S^*\), where \(h_{pq}\) is the angular metric tensor. From this, it results that the indicatrix is a convex lenticular surface. Some figures are included to elucidate some patterns. Furthermore, for \(F_{PD}\)-spaces, the Legendre map leads to an explicit form of the Hamiltonian. In the end several applications to physics are discussed.