Sub-Riemannian distance on Lie groups SU(2) and SO(3)

2014/11/18 by V. N. Berestovskiĭ, Berestovskii, V., И. А. Зубарева +1
Mathematics · #22E30 #49J15 #53C17 #Differential Geometry (math.DG) #FOS: Mathematics #Geometric Analysis and Curvature Flows #Geometric and Algebraic Topology #Homotopy and Cohomology in Algebraic Topology

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1411.4718

openalex publication_date 2014/11/18 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

The authors compute distances between arbitrary elements of Lie groups SU(2) and SO(3) for special left-invariant sub-Riemannian metrics ρ and d. To compute distances for the second metric, we essentially use the fact that canonical two-sheeted covering epimorphism Ω of the Lie group SU(2) onto the Lie group SO(3) is submetry and local isometry with respect to metrics ρ and d. Proofs are based on previously known formulas for geodesics with origin at the unit, F. Klein's formula for Ω, trigonometric functions and relations between them, usual Calculus for functions of one real variable. But in order to avoid possible mistakes, it is required sufficiently careful application of this simple tool.

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