Web (differential geometry)


In mathematics, a web permits an intrinsic characterization in terms of Riemannian geometry of the additive separation of variables in the Hamilton–Jacobi equation.

Formal definition

An orthogonal web on a Riemannian manifold is a set of n pairwise transversal and orthogonal foliations of connected submanifolds of codimension 1 and where n denotes the dimension of M.
Note that two submanifolds of codimension 1 are orthogonal if their normal vectors are orthogonal and in a nondefinite metric orthogonality does not imply transversality.

Alternative definition

Given a smooth manifold of dimension n, an orthogonal web on a Riemannian manifold is a set of n pairwise transversal and orthogonal foliations of connected submanifolds of dimension 1.

Remark

Since vector fields can be visualized as stream-lines of a stationary flow or as Faraday’s lines of force, a non-vanishing vector field in space generates a space-filling system of lines through each point, known to mathematicians as a congruence. Ricci’s vision filled Riemann’s n-dimensional manifold with n congruences orthogonal to each other, i.e., a local orthogonal grid.

Differential geometry of webs

A systematic study of webs was started by Blaschke in the 1930s. He extended the same group-theoretic approach to web geometry.

Classical definition

Let be a differentiable manifold of dimension N=nr. A d-web W of codimension r in an open set is a set of d foliations of codimension r which are in general position.
In the notation W the number d is the number of foliations forming a web, r is the web codimension, and n is the ratio of the dimension nr of the manifold M and the web codimension. Of course, one may define a d-web of codimension r without having r as a divisor of the dimension of the ambient manifold.