Isoholonomic problems and some applications (Q916103)

Let \(\pi\) : \(Q\to X\) be a principal bundle with connection A, X a Riemannian manifold. The isoholonomic problem is studied: among all loops with a fixed holonomy, find the loop of minimum length. The main result of the paper states that a loop c in X is extremal for the isoholonomic problem if and only if there is a curve \(\xi\) in \(T^*Q\) satisfying \(\pi \circ \xi =c\) which is a solution to the corresponding Hamilton's differential equation. Applications to the theory of Yang-Mills potentials and Kaluza-Klein geodesics and physical applications to quantum mechanics and the optimal control of deformable bodies are discussed. Unfortunately, the proof of the main theorem is based on a theorem of Bär which turned out to be incorrect in this generality.