Riemannian manifold

English

Etymology

Named after German mathematician Bernhard Riemann (1826–1866). See also Riemannian.

Noun

Riemannian manifold (plural Riemannian manifolds)

  1. (differential geometry, Riemannian geometry) A real, smooth differentiable manifold whose each point has a tangent space equipped with a positive-definite inner product;
    (more formally) an ordered pair (M, g), where M is a real, smooth differentiable manifold and g its Riemannian metric.
    By definition, a Riemannian manifold has at each point a tangent space equipped with a positive-definite inner product, ; information about these inner products is encoded in the Riemannian metric tensor, .
    • 1984, Isaac Chavel, Eigenvalues in Riemannian Geometry, Academic Press, page 55:
      In this chapter we extend the study of eigenvalues to Riemannian manifolds whose curvature may not be constant, but is, nevertheless, bounded.
    • 2000, Daniel W. Stroock, An Introduction to the Analysis of Paths on a Riemannian Manifold, American Mathematical Society, page 165:
      Further, a much harder theorem, due to J. Nash [31], says that a separable Riemannian manifold of dimension can be isometrically embedded in with .
    • 2018, John M. Lee, Introduction to Riemannian Manifolds, 2nd edition, Springer, page 55:
      Before we delve into the general theory of Riemannian manifolds, we pause to give it some substance by introducing a variety of "model Riemannian manifolds" that should help to motivate the general theory.

Usage notes

  • Not to be confused with Riemann surface.
  • Riemannian manifolds are the principal subject of study in Riemannian geometry.
  • Formally, a Riemannian manifold is defined as the ordered pair of the manifold and the Riemannian metric with which it is equipped. Except in very formal contexts, however, the term is used as if referring to a type of manifold.
  • The Riemannian metric, a tensor, is also said to be smooth, but in a technically different sense as when used for the manifold.

Synonyms

  • Riemannian space

Hypernyms

Derived terms

Translations

See also

Further reading

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