Curve theory in $S^2\times S^2$ with applications to ruled surfaces in $S^3$

Abstract

The Riemannian product $S^2\times S^2$ of two unit spheres admits several important geometric interpretations. It can be identified both with the complex quadric $Q^2$ and with the space $\mathcal{L}(S^3)$ of oriented geodesics in the unit $3$-sphere $S^3$. In this paper, we first develop a unified framework for the geometry of curves in $S^2\times S^2$. We introduce projection-regular curves in $S^2\times S^2$ and their curvature data, and prove a congruence theorem for these curves. As an application of this framework, regarding $S^2\times S^2$ as the complex quadric $Q^2$, we classify Kähler magnetic geodesics associated with the product Kähler--Einstein structure. For closed generic projection-regular curves, we establish a sharp Fenchel-type inequality. We then identify $S^2\times S^2$ with the space $\mathcal{L}(S^3)$ of oriented geodesics in the unit $3$-sphere $S^3$ and apply our curve theory to ruled surfaces in $S^3$. In particular, we prove that every nonsingular closed generic projection-regular ruled surface attaining equality in the Fenchel-type inequality is an embedded torus.

arXiv comment19 pages, 6 figures