On the structure of space-time caustics (Q762476)

The caustics of geodesics from a point p in a Lorentz space M are investigated in M as well as in \(T_ p\). For timelike and null geodesics, results and ideas of proof by \textit{F. W. Warner} [Am. J. Math. 575-604 (1965; Zbl 0129.360)] can be carried over: The regular part of the timelike \(\{\) resp. null\(\}\) conjugate locus in \(T_ p\) forms a smooth submanifold of dimension of \(T_ p\) (n-1) \(\{\) resp. (n-2)\(\}\) and is open dense in the full caustic. It is not clear whether the convergence property also holds for spacelike geodesics as they have two properties preventing application of Warner's ideas: No index theory exists as they are not locally extremal; two subsets of vectors orthogonal mutually and to the tangent of the geodesic can contain a common nonzero (null) vector. If all past null geodesics of p encounter conjugate points the caustic in \(T_ p\) has at least one degenerate point in M and a cusp; if all points are degenerate, M is spatially closed.