On the mean exit time for compact symmetric spaces (Q2581177)

Let \(M=G/K\) be a compact symmetric space where \(K\) is the compact isotropy subgroup of \(G\) at a fixed point and \(c(t)\) a geodesic on \(M\). For each \(t\) in \((0,r]\), \(K(c(t))\) defines an orbit of \(M\), which is supposed to be principal. The first purpose of this paper is to obtain the mean exit time function from a principal orbit \(K(c(r))\) for a Brownian particle starting and moving in a generalized ball whose boundary is \(K(c(r))\). In the second part of the paper, the authors consider some (special) totally geodesic submanifolds \(P\) of \(M\) such that the normal space to \(P\) in a point can be identified with the tangent space to another totally geodesic submanifold \(P'\) [for examples see \textit{J. M. Burns}, Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 337, 411--425 (1993; Zbl 0779.53033); \textit{N. Koike}, Kyushy J. Math. 56, 267--291 (2002; Zbl 1027.53053)]. They obtain the mean exit time function of a tube of radius \(r\) around totally geodesic submanifolds \(P\) of \(M\). Finally, the authors give a comparison result for the mean exit time function of tubes around submanifolds in Riemannian manifolds, using these totally geodesic submanifolds in compact symmetric spaces as a model.