Circular tractrices and circular Dini surfaces in semi-euclidean spaces (Q6587972)

The paper under review introduces and studies semi-Euclidean analogues of circular tractrices in \(\mathbb{E}^3\) and uses them to construct semi-Euclidean analogues of circular Dini surfaces in \(\mathbb{E}^4\), which generalize the classical Dini surfaces in \(\mathbb{E}^3\).\N\NIn the first part of the paper, a general method for reconstructing circular tractrices in the three-dimensional semi-Euclidean space \(\mathbb{E}^{2,1}\) of signature \((+,+,-)\) is discussed. Given a space-like or a time-like circle as a directrix, the construction of its tractrix is shown to be given by the solution of a system of first order ODE's accompanied with an algebraic restriction for three unknown functions. These conditions are later reduced to an ODE's system accompanied with some initial conditions which provide a unique \(\mathcal{C}^{\infty}\)-smooth solution. This ODE's problem is called the generating Cauchy problem. Some constant solutions to this problem are provided and two algebraic constraints that the solutions must satisfy as a necessary condition are deduced. Furthermore, some elementary properties of the solutions are given, regarding their congruency, symmetry and the appearance of cusps. Lastly, the circular tractrix solution is shown to belong either to a plane \(E\subset\mathbb{E}^{2,1}\) that contains its directing circle or to a quadric in \(\mathbb{E}^{2,1}\) whose expression is implicitly given.\N\NThe second part of the paper introduces semi-Euclidean Dini surfaces in \(\mathbb{E}^{3,1}\) as a screw rotation to a circular tractrix \(\gamma\) embedded in \(\mathbb{E}^{3,1}\) seeing \(\mathbb{E}^{2,1}\) as a three-dimensional hyperplane. The resulting surface \(F\) is foliated by congruent copies of \(\gamma\) seen as meridians of \(F\). Segments of constant length tangent to these meridians can be drawn so that their endpoints constitute the circle which is the directrix of \(\gamma\). The regularity of these surfaces is studied and its Gauss curvature is shown to be constant (not necessarily negative). Finally, some open problems are stated and an appendix is given showing the great diversity of circular tractrices in \(\mathbb{E}^{2,1}\), accompanied with many figures.\N\NFor the entire collection see [Zbl 1546.53005].