Funk functions and projective deformations of sprays and Finsler spaces of scalar flag curvature (Q345309)

Two sprays \(S_0\) and \(S\) are projectively related if there exists a function \(P(x,y)\) on \(TM\), homogeneous of degree two in the fibre coordinates \(y\), such that \(S=S_0-2PC\) (\(C\) is the Liouville vector field). The function \(P\) is called projective deformation. Projective deformations that preserve the Riemann curvature or the Jacobi endomorphism are called Funk functions. In the present paper the author gives a partial answer to Shen's question: Can a Finsler metric be projectively deformed by a Funk function to give rise to a new Finsler metric or, alternatively, can two Finsler metrics having the same Jacobi endomorphism be in the same projective class? The author proves that projective deformations by Funk functions of geodesic sprays, of non-vanishing scalar flag curvature, do not preserve the property of being Finsler metrizable. This gives a negative answer to Shen's question in the case of non-vanishing scalar flag curvature. As a consequence, he shows that for an isotropic spray, its projective class can not have more than one geodesic spray with the same Jacobi endomorphism as the given spray. He finally shows how to construct sprays whose projective class does not have any Finsler metrizable spray with the same Jacobi endomorphism.