Conjugate points in length spaces (Q2519765)

The authors extend the concept of a conjugate point in a Riemannian manifold to geodesic spaces. In particular, symmetric conjugate points and ultimate conjugate points are considered and related to prior notions developped for more restricted classes of spaces. The long homotopy lemma of \textit{W. Klingenberg} [see, Ann. Mat. Pura Appl., IV. Ser. 60, 49--59 (1962; Zbl 0112.13603)] is generalized in this context. Also the injectivity radius estimate, also due to Klingenberg, which was used to produce closed geodesics or conjugate points on Riemannian manifolds, is extended. Applications of these new kinds of conjugate points to CBA\((\kappa)\) spaces are given. The authors prove both known and new theorems, in particular a Rauch comparison theorem and a relative Rauch comparison theorem. It is also shown that there are no ultimate conjugate points less than \(\pi \) apart in a CBA(1) space. Some open problems are stated.