Simple Closed Quasigeodesics on Tetrahedra

Abstract

Pogorelov proved in 1949 that every convex polyhedron has at least three simple closed quasigeodesics. Whereas a geodesic has exactly a π surface angle to either side at each point, a quasigeodesic has at most a π surface angle to either side at each point. Pogorelov’s existence proof did not suggest a way to identify the three quasigeodesics, and it is only recently that a finite algorithm has been proposed. Here we identify three simple closed quasigeodesics on any tetrahedron: at least one through one vertex, at least one through two vertices, and at least one through three vertices. The only exception is that isosceles tetrahedra have simple closed geodesics but do not have a 1-vertex quasigeodesic. We also identify an infinite class of tetrahedra that each have at least 34 simple closed quasigeodesics.