A multi-parameter family of metrics on Stiefel manifolds and applications (Q6160676)

The main subject of this paper is the study of a \(2k\)-parameter family of pseudo-Riemannian metrics on the Stiefel manifold \(\text{St}_{n,k}\) from an extrinsic point of view. The real (compact) Stiefel manifold \(\text{St}_{n,k}\) is the embedded submanifold of the real \((n\times k)\)-matrices \(\mathbb{R}^{n\times k}\), given by \(\text{St}_{n,k} = \left\{X\in\mathbb{R}^{n\times k}\vert X^\top X=I_k\right\}\subseteq\mathbb{R}^{n\times k}\), \(1\leq k\leq n\). The space \(\mathbb{R}^{n\times k}\) is endowed with a family of covariant \(2\)-tensors depending on \(2k\) parameters invariant under the action of the group \(\mathrm{O}(n)\) by left matrix multiplication. Given an appropriate choice of these parameters, the corresponding \(2\)-tensor induces a pseudo-Riemannian metric on an open subset \(U\subset\mathbb{R}^{n\times k}\) such that \(\text{St}_{n,k}\subseteq U\). This family of metrics contains several well-known metrics, such as the Euclidean metric and the so-called canonical metric, as well as a metric introduced in [\textit{K. Hüper} et al., J. Geom. Mech. 13, No. 1, 55--72 (2021; Zbl 1477.58006)]. Also, when \(\text{St}_{n,k}\) is considered as a pseudo-Riemannian reductive homogeneous \(\mathrm{SO}(n)\)-space, there are exactly two \(\mathrm{SO}(n)\times \mathrm{SO} (k)\)-invariant Einstein metrics belonging to the family described in [\textit{A. Arvanitoyeorgos} et al., Can. J. Math. 61, No. 6, 1201--1213 (2009; Zbl 1183.53037)] and which are both of Jensen-type. Explicit matrix-type formulas are obtained for various differential geometric quantities. First, the corresponding geodesic equation of \(\text{St}_{n,k}\), in terms of the explicit second order ODE, is derived by computing the metric spray on the \(T\text{St}_{n,k}\). Moreover, the exact expressions for pseudo-Riemannian gradients and pseudo-Riemannian Hessians are obtained, which can be applied to various Riemannian optimization methods. Finally, the second fundamental form and Levi-Civita covariant derivative are computed.