Complex lines in complex hyperbolic space \({H_{\mathbb{C}}^{2}}\) (Q2254369)

The cross-ratio of four pairwise different points in the boundary of a complex hyperbolic space was defined by \textit{A. Korányi} and \textit{H. M. Reimann} [Enseign. Math. (2) 33, 291--300 (1987; Zbl 0638.22005)]. \textit{E. Falbel} [Topology Appl. 154, No. 6, 1041--1052 (2007; Zbl 1112.57002)] has shown that a set of four pairwise different points on the boundary of a complex hyperbolic \(2\)-space is uniquely determined, up to conjugation of PU(\(2,1\)), by three cross-ratios satisfying two real equations. In particular, these two equations provide a variety \({\mathfrak X}\) inside \({\mathbb C}^{3}\) (a \(4\)-real dimensional one). The geometry and topology of \({\mathfrak X}\) is not clear from these two equations. \textit{J. R. Parker} and \textit{I. D. Platis} provided in [Can. Math. Bull. 52, No. 2, 285--294 (2009; Zbl 1165.30020)] global geometric coordinates to give an alternative description of \({\mathfrak X}\); the \(4\) points are divided into two pairs, each pair determines a geodesic line in the complex hyperbolic \(2\)-space. These geometric coordinates are obtained from the relation between these two hyperbolic lines. In the present paper, the authors restrict to quadruples of points so that no three of them belong to a common C-circle (the intersection of the closure of a complex geodesic line in complex hyperbolic space with its boundary). In this situation, the above two pairings provide geodesic lines which are either ultra-parallel or they intersect.