Conformal Patterson-Walker metrics (Q2184888)

The classical Patterson-Walker construction starts with the torsion-free affine connection on \(M\) and using the natural pairing of the horizontal and vertical distributions, describes a split-signature pseudo-Riemannian metric on \(T^*M\). Such a metric has several natural geometrical properties. In the present paper, the starting point is the projective class of volume-preserving torsion-free affine connections on \(M\). The Patterson-Walker construction is generalized to the construction of conformal class of metrics on the density-valued cotangent bundle \(T^*M(2)\). The natural geometrical objects which arise by this construction are described and Riemannian and conformal symmetries of the induced metric are studied. The construction also allows to identify the Einstein metrics within the induced conformal class.