The volume problem for pseudo-Riemannian manifolds

For a pseudo-Riemannian manifold of arbitrary signature, the authors propose to define the volume deficit to be the relative deviation of the volume of a truncated null cone from the volume of a truncated null cone in flat pseudo-Euclidean space \({\mathbb{R}}^ n\). The volume of any small truncated null cone is asymptotically expanded in powers of the altitude, and the coefficients of the first terms of the expansion are related to the curvature. Several results are presented which describe to what extent the volume deficit determines the geometry. A manifold with definite Ricci curvature or with definite four-form \(2(Riem)^ 2- 5(Ric)^ 2-9d^ 2Ric\) has a non-vanishing volume deficit. More explicit results are obtained for pseudo-Riemannian products of two properly Riemannian manifolds. For example, if the pseudo-Riemannian product of two Riemannian manifolds of constant curvature has vanishing volume deficit then each factor is flat. This paper draws on earlier work by A. Gray, L. Vanhecke, O. Kowalski in the Riemannian case, and F. Gackstatter, B. Gackstatter, and the first author in the Lorentzian case.

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