The Geometry of Total Curvature on Complete Open Surfaces

This independent account of modern ideas in differential geometry shows how they can be used to understand and extend classical results in integral geometry. The authors explore the influence of total curvature on the metric structure of complete, non-compact Riemannian 2-manifolds, although their work can be extended to more general spaces. Each chapter features open problems, making the volume a suitable learning aid for graduate students and non-specialists who seek an introduction to this modern area of differential geometry.

This is a self-contained account of how some modern ideas in differential geometry can be used to tackle and extend classical results in integral geometry. The authors investigate the influence of total curvature on the metric structure of complete, non-compact Riemannian 2-manifolds, though their work, much of which has never appeared in book form before, can be extended to more general spaces. Many classical results are introduced and then extended by the authors. The compactification of complete open surfaces is discussed, as are Busemann functions for rays. Open problems are provided in each chapter, and the text is richly illustrated with figures designed to help the reader understand the subject matter and get intuitive ideas about the subject. The treatment is self-contained, assuming only a basic knowledge of manifold theory, so is suitable for graduate students and non-specialists who seek an introduction to this modern area of differential geometry.

1. Riemannian geometry; 2. Classical results by Cohn-Vossen and Huber; 3. The ideal boundary; 4. The cut loci of complete open surfaces; 5. Isoperimetric inequalities; 6. Mass of rays; 7. Poles and cut loci of a surface of revolution; 8. Behaviour of geodesics.

A self-contained account of how modern differential geometry can be used to tackle and extend classical results in integral geometry. Open problems are provided, and the text is richly illustrated with figures to aid understanding and develop intuition. Suitable for graduate students and non-specialists seeking an introduction to this area.