Conjugate and cut loci of a two-sphere of revolution with application to optimal control (Q2272060)

A result of Sinclair and Tanaka states: Given a smooth metric \(dr^2+ m^2(r^2)d\theta^2\) on \(S^2\), where \(r\) is the angular variable along the meridian, \(\theta\) is the angle of revolution, the reflective symmetry condition \(m(2a- r)= m(r)\) holds, and the Gaussian curvature is monotone along ameridian, then (away from the pole) the cut locus of a point is a simple branch on the antipodal parallel. The authors of the present paper derive the same conclusion with sharper assumptions. These also give global optimal results is orbital transfer and for Lindblad equations in quantum control.