Existence and classification of $b$-contact structures

Abstract

A $b$-contact structure on a $b$-manifold $(M,Z)$ is a Jacobi structure on $M$ satisfying a transversality condition along the hypersurface $Z$. We show that, in three dimensions, $b$-contact structures with overtwisted three-dimensional leaves satisfy an existence $h$-principle that allows prescribing the induced singular foliation. We give a method to classify $b$-contact structures on a given $b$-manifold and use it to give a classification on $S^3$ with either a two-sphere or an unknotted torus as the critical surface. We also discuss generalizations to higher dimensions.

35 pages. Final version to appear in Publicacions Matemà tiques