\(^{1}\)-symmetric submanifolds (Q2640892)

Let M be a submanifold of \({\mathbb{R}}^ n\). For \(p\in M\), denote by \(^{1}_ p(M)\) the first normal space to M at p. We assume that the dimension of \(^{1}_ p(M)\) does not depend on p, and denote it by \(n_ 1\). The generalized Gauss map \(\nu^{1}_ M: M\to G(n_ 1,n-n_ 1)\) is given by \(\nu^{1}_ M(p)=^{1}_ p(M)\) for \(p\in M\). If for each \(p\in M\), the reflection of \({\mathbb{R}}^ n\) with respect to \(^{1}_ p(M)\) transforms M locally into itself, then M is called an \(^{1}\)-symmetric submanifold. The main result of the present paper is the following: A submanifold M of \({\mathbb{R}}^ n\) is \(^{1}\)-symmetric if and only if \(\nabla (\nu^{1}_ M)_*=0\).