Hyperbolic worldsheets and worldlines of null Cartan curves in de Sitter 3-space

Abstract

The hyperbolic worldsheets and the hyperbolic worldline generated by null Cartan curves are defined and their geometric properties are investigated. As applications of singularity theory, the singularities of the hyperbolic worldsheets and the hyperbolic worldline are classified by using the approach of the unfolding theory in singularity theory. It is shown that under appropriate conditions, the hyperbolic worldsheet is diffeomorphic to cuspidal edge or swallowtail type of singularity and the hyperbolic worldline is diffeomorphic to cusp. An important geometric invariant which has a close relation with the singularities of the hyperbolic worldsheets and worldlines is found such that the singularities of the hyperbolic worldsheets and worldlines can be characterized by the invariant. Meanwhile, the contact of the spacelike normal curve of a null Cartan curve with hyperbolic quadric or world hypersheet is discussed in detail. In addition, the dual relationships between the spacelike normal curve of a null Cartan curve and the hyperbolic worldsheet are described. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the spacelike normal curve of a null Cartan curve and the hyperbolic worldsheet are [Formula: see text]-dual each other.