Isometric deformations of wave fronts at non-degenerate singular points (Q2041752)

\textit{M. Kossowski} [J. Geom. 81, No. 1--2, 101--113 (2004; Zbl 1075.53005)] defined a class of positive semi-definite metrics for surfaces. The points where the metric is not positive definite are related to the singularities of the surface. He proved a realization result stating that if \(p\) is a non-parabolic (the Euler 2-form does not vanish) semi-definite point of the metric, then there exists a wave front \(f\) such that the first fundamental form of \(f\) coincides with the metric in a neighbourhood of \(p\). In this paper the authors generalize this theorem. Firstly they prove that the first fundamental form of frontals with non-degenerate singular points is a Kossowski metric. They then refine Kossowski's result by defining \(A_2\) and \(A_3\) semi-definite points of the metric and relating them to cuspidal edges and swallowtails of the surface. They also generalize this theorem by relating cuspidal cross-caps (which are frontals but not wave fronts) to parabolic \(A_2\) semi-definite points of the metric. Moreover, they study the number of strong congruence classes (where maps are equivalent by composition with an isometry) of frontals for a given Kossowski metric with prescribed normal curvature and torsion of the singular set. The authors give some applications of these results and end with open problems regarding realization of the cusp of the cuspidal edge at a swallowtail point by Kossowski metrics and realization of cross-caps with Whitney metrics.