An explicit formula for spherical curves with constant torsion (Q692394)

The paper under consideration studies parametrized curves in a 2-sphere which have constant torsion \(\tau\) considered as curves in the surrounding 3-dimensional Euclidean space. Such a curve is described by a non-linear first-order ordinary differential equation for its curvature \(\kappa\), which has a simple explicit solution. In principle, up to rigid motion and reparametrization, the curve is uniquely determined by the given torsion \(\tau\) and this solution \(\kappa\). However, no explicit parametrization of these curves was known before. This paper provides explicit formulas for these curves. In particular, the parametrization by the radius of curvature \(1/\kappa\) of such a curve is given in terms of Barnes generalized hypergeometric functions. In an appendix, the authors describe certain examples of such curves and some of their properties. They also speculate about further questions, which according to a note from the editor seem to give rise to controversial discussions.