Geodesic completeness of some Lorentzian simple Lie groups (Q6948111)

The authors investigate the geodesic completeness of left-invariant Lorentz metrics on non-compact simple Lie groups, under the assumption that there exists a left-invariant Killing vector field. Using the dual Euler equation approach and properties of Hamiltonian systems on Lie algebras, they provide sufficient conditions for completeness based on the causal character of the Killing vector field.\N\NTheir main result states that such metrics are geodesically complete when the Killing field is time-like (a well-known result of \textit{A. Romero} and \textit{M. Sánchez} [Geom. Dedicata 53, No. 1, 103--117 (1994; Zbl 0813.53040)]) or light-like under strong causality of the group. In the special case of \(\mathrm{SL}_2(\mathbb{C})\), they analyze the more intricate situation where the Killing field is space-like. They prove that completeness in this case is equivalent to the non-existence of certain incomplete integral curves of the dual Euler field, referred to as generalized conical spirals.\N\NThe authors build on prior results, as well as low-dimensional cases, such as \(\mathrm{SL}_2(\mathbb{R})\), and extend the understanding to higher-dimensional settings. Their analysis relies on structural properties of simple Lie algebras, including the behavior of the Killing form and adjoint actions, as well as dynamical systems methods.