Isometric immersions of the hyperbolic plane into the hyperbolic space (Q5891738)

The parametrization of the space of isometric immersions of the hyperbolic plane into the hyperbolic 3-space is realized in terms of null-causal curves in the space of oriented geodesics. The main emphasis is put on the study of two neutral metrics. A characterization of these metrics is given. A representation formula for developable surfaces in the 3-dimensional hyperbolic space \(H^3\) is introduced in terms of null-causal curves. The curves in the space \(LH^3\) of oriented geodesics which are null with respect to the two neutral metrics are investigated, and it is shown that such curves generate ideal cones whose vertices are on the ideal boundary. Developable surfaces of exponential type are defined, and it is shown that a real-analytic developable surface of this type is an ideal cone. It is emphasized that the assumption of analyticity cannot be dropped since non-real-analytic developable surfaces of exponential type might have more than one asymptotic point. An example exhibiting open subsets which are asymptotic to distinct points in the ideal boundary is given.