Torsion is tensorial

From Diffgeom
Revision as of 17:49, 6 January 2012 by Vipul (talk | contribs) (→‎Statement)

This article gives the statement, and possibly proof, that a map constructed in a certain way is tensorial
View other such statements

Statement

Let M be a differential manifold and be a linear connection on M (viz., is a connection on the tangent bundle TM of M).

Consider the torsion of , namely:

τ():Γ(TM)×Γ(TM)Γ(TM)

given by:

τ()(X,Y)=XYYX[X,Y]

Then, τ() is a tensorial map in both coordinates.

Facts used

Fact no. Name Statement with symbols
1 Any connection is C-linear in its subscript argument fA=fA for any C-function f and vector field A.
2 The Leibniz-like axiom that is part of the definition of a connection For a function f and vector fields A,B, and a connection , we have A(fB)=(Af)(B)+fA(B)
3 Corollary of Leibniz rule for Lie bracket (in turn follows from Leibniz rule for derivations For a function f and vector fields X,Y:


f[X,Y]=[fX,Y]+(Yf)X
f[X,Y]=[X,fY](Xf)Y

Proof

To prove tensoriality in a variable, it suffices to show C-linearity in that variable. This is because linearity in C-functions guarantees linearity in a function that is 1 at exactly one point, and zero at others.

The proofs for X and Y are analogous, and rely on manipulation of the Lie bracket [fX,Y] and the property of a connection being C in the subscript vector.

Tensoriality in the first coordinate

Given: f:MR is C-function

To prove: τ()(fX,Y)=fτ()(X,Y)

Proof: We start out with the left side:

τ()(fX,Y)

Each step below is obtained from the previous one via some manipulation explained along side.

Step no. Current status of left side Facts/properties used Specific rewrites
1 fX(Y)Y(fX)[fX,Y] Definition of torsion whole thing
2 fXYY(fX)[fX,Y] Fact (1): C-linearity of connection in subscript argument fXfX
3 fXY(fYX+(Yf)(X))[fX,Y] Fact (2): The Leibniz-like axiom that's part of the definition of a connection Y(fX)fYX+(Yf)(X)
4 fXYfYX((Yf)(X)+[fX,Y]) parenthesis rearrangement --
5 fXYfYXf[X,Y] Fact (3) (Yf)(X)+[fX,Y]f[X,Y]
6 f(XYYX[X,Y]) factor out --
7 fτ()(X,Y) use definition of torsion XYYX[X,Y]τ()(X,Y)

Tensoriality in the second coordinate

The proof is analogous to that for the first coordinate.

To prove τ()(X,fY)=fτ()(X,Y)

Proof: This is similar to tensoriality in the first coordinate.