On geodesically convex functions on symmetric spaces (Q2747565)

Let \(M=G/K\) be a non-compact Riemannian symmetric space and \(\mathfrak g=\mathfrak k+\mathfrak p\) the corresponding Cartan decomposition on the Lie algebra level. Further, let \(\mathfrak a\subseteq\mathfrak p\) be a maximal abelian subspace and \(W\) the Weyl group acting on \(\mathfrak a\). The author studies convexity properties of invariant functions on \(\mathfrak a\), \(\mathfrak p\) and \(M\). More precisely, if \(S\subseteq\mathfrak a\) is \(W\)-invariant and \(f\colon S\to\mathbb R\) is continuous, he studies the \(K\)-invariant extensions \(f_*\) and \(f^*\) of \(f\) to \(\text{Ad}(K)S\) and \(\exp(\text{Ad}(K)S)\). He shows that the convexity of \(f\) and \(f_*\) are equivalent. Moreover, he proves that this convexity is in turn equivalent to the geodesic convexity of \(f^*\). Here geodesic convexity means that the restriction of \(f^*\) to every geodesic viewed as a function of the parameter (e.g. the curve length) is convex.NEWLINENEWLINEFor an alternative treatment of these results see [\textit{J. Hilgert} and \textit{K.-H. Neeb}, Hilgert, Joachim (ed.) et al., Positivity in Lie theory: open problems. Berlin: Walter de Gruyter. De Gruyter Expo. Math. 26, 99--119 (1998; Zbl 0908.22009)] and [\textit{C. Neidhardt}, ``Konvexität und projektive Einbettungen in der Riemannschen Geometrie'', Dissertation, Erlangen (1995)].