On fundamental equations of almost geodesic mappings of type \(\pi_{2}(e)\) (Q2479638)

A curve \(\ell (t)\) of an affinely connected space \(A_n\) is called almost geodesic (i.e., almost autoparallel) if the tangents \(\dot \ell(t)\) lie in a 2-dimensional distribution parallel along \(\ell(t)\). A diffeomorphism \(f:A_n\to \bar A_n\) is called almost geodesic mapping (a.g.m.) if geodesics of \(A_n\) are mapped onto geodesics of \(\bar A_n\). An a.g.m. is called of \(\pi_2\) type (a.g.m. \(\pi_2\)) if also \(f^{-1}\) is an a.g.m. Conditions are found in order that \(f\) be an a.g.m. \(\pi_2(e)\). These conditions involve the connection coefficients \(\Gamma_j{}^i{}_k\), \(\bar \Gamma{}_j{}^i{}_k\), an affinor \(F^k_i\) and four vectors \(\psi_i\) \(\varphi_i\), \(\varrho_i\), \(\mu_i\). \(e\) denotes that \(F\) forms an \(e\)-structure: \(F^k_\alpha F^\alpha_i=e\delta^k_i\), \(e=\pm1,0\). The authors find a PDE system of Cauchy type for all \(e\)-structures and \(\mu_i\) generating a.g.m. \(\pi_2(e)\). These \(e\)-structures depend on at most \(\frac 12 n(n^2-1)\) parameters. Also the family of the Riemannian spaces onto which an \(A_n\) admits general or special a.g.m. \(\pi_2(e)\) is investigated.