Riemannian metrics on 2D-manifolds related to the Euler-Poinsot rigid body motion

Abstract

The Euler-Poinsot rigid body motion is a standard mechanical system and it is a model for left-invariant Riemannian metrics on SO(3). In this article using the Serret-Andoyer variables we parameterize the solutions and compute the Jacobi fields in relation with the conjugate locus evaluation. Moreover, the metric can be restricted to a 2D-surface, and the conjugate points of this metric are evaluated using recent works on surfaces of revolution. Another related 2D-metric on S2 associated to the dynamics of spin particles with Ising coupling is analysed using both geometric techniques and numerical simulations. © EDP Sciences, SMAI, 2014.