Singularities of worldsheets associated with null Cartan curves in Lorentz–Minkowski space–time

Abstract

In this paper, as applications of singularity theory, we study the singularities of several worldsheets generated by null Cartan curves in Lorentz–Minkowski space–time. Using the approach of the unfolding theory in singularity theory, we establish the relationships between these worldsheets and invariants such that the cuspidal edge type of singularity and the swallowtail type of singularity can be characterized by these invariants, respectively. Meanwhile, the contact of the tangent curve of a null Cartan curve with some model surfaces are discussed in detail. In addition, we also describe the dual relationships between the tangent curve of a null Cartan curve and these worldsheets. Finally, some concrete examples are provided to explain our theoretical results.