Undergrad What is the connection form matrix of a surface of revolution?

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    2015
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The discussion focuses on evaluating the connection form matrix of a surface of revolution defined by a specific parameterization involving functions f and g. The surface is described in terms of parameters (u, v) with conditions that f is positive and the derivatives satisfy a particular equation. No solutions were provided by participants for the problem of the week. The original poster has included their own solution for reference. The thread emphasizes the mathematical intricacies involved in understanding the connection form matrix in this context.
Euge
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Let $S$ be a surface of revolution parametrized by $x(u,v) = (f(u)\cos v, f(u)\sin v, g(u))$, where $(u,v)$ ranges over some open connected set $\Omega \subset \Bbb R^2$. Assume $f$ and $g$ are smooth, $f > 0$ on its domain, and $(f')^2 + (g')^2 = 1$. Evaluate the connection form matrix of $S$ relative to $x$.

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No one answered this week's problem. You can find my solution below.
We have $x_u = (f'(u)\cos v, f'(u)\sin v, g'(u))$, $x_v = (-f(u)\sin v, f(u)\cos v, 0)$, and $x_u \times x_v = (-f(u)g'(u)\cos v, -f(u)g'(u)\sin v, f(u)f'(u))$. Since $\|x_u\| = 1$ and $\|x_u \times x_v\| = f(u)$, then

$$\xi_1 = x_u, \quad \xi_3 = \frac{x_u \times x_v}{f(u)} = (-g'(u)\cos v, -g'(u)\sin v, f'(u)), \quad \xi_2 = \xi_3 \times \xi_1 = (-\sin v, \cos v, 0)$$

forms an adapted moving orthonormal frame for $S$. Now since

$$d\xi_1 = (f''(u)\cos v\, du - f'(u)\sin v\, dv, f''(u)\sin v\, du + f'(u)\cos v\, dv, g''(u)\, du)$$
$$d\xi_2 = (-\cos v\, dv, -\sin v\, dv, 0)$$
$$d\xi_3 = (g''(u)\cos v\, du - g'(u)\sin v\, dv, -g''(u)\sin v\, du - g'(u)\cos v\, dv, f''(u)\, du)$$

we have

$$d\xi_1 \cdot \xi_2 = f'(u)\, dv, \quad d\xi_1 \cdot \xi_3 = (g''(u)f'(u) - f''(u)g'(u))\, du, \quad d\xi_2\cdot \xi_3 = g'(u)\, dv.$$

Hence, the connection form matrix is

$$\begin{bmatrix}0 & -d\xi_1 \cdot \xi_2 & -d\xi_1 \cdot \xi_3\\d\xi_1 \cdot \xi_2 & 0 & d\xi_2 \cdot \xi_3\\d\xi_1 \cdot \xi_3 & d\xi_2 \cdot \xi_3 & 0\end{bmatrix} = \begin{bmatrix}0 & -f'(u)\, dv & -(g''(u)f'(u) - f''(u)g'(u)\, du\\f'(u)\, dv & 0 & -g'(u)\, dv\\(g''(u)f'(u) - f''(u)g'(u))\, dv & g'(u)\, dv& 0\end{bmatrix}.$$
 

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