In this paper, we study locally projectively flat Finsler metrics with constant flag curvature ${\bf K}$. We prove those are totally determined by their behaviors at the origin by solving some nonlinear PDEs. The classifications when ${\bf K}=0$, ${\bf K}=-1$ and ${\bf K} =1$ are given respectively in an algebraic way. Further, we construct a new projectively flat Finsler metric with flag curvature ${\bf K}=1$ determined by a Minkowskian norm with double square roots at the origin. As an application of our main theorems, we give the classification of locally projectively flat spherical symmetric Finsler metrics much easier than before. ----Comments are welcome.
Finsler metrics on an open subset in R n with straight geodesics are said to be projective. It is known that the flag curvature of any projective Finsler metric is a scalar function of tangent vectors (the flag curvature must be a constant if it is Riemannian). In this paper, we discuss the classification problem on projective Finsler metrics of constant flag curvature. We express them by a Taylor expansion or an algebraic formula. Many examples constructed in this paper can be used as models in Finsler geometry.
Finsler metrics on an open subset in R n with straight geodesics are said to be projective. It is known that the flag curvature of any projective Finsler metric is a scalar function of tangent vectors (the flag curvature must be a constant if it is Riemannian). In this paper, we discuss the classification problem on projective Finsler metrics of constant flag curvature. We express them by a Taylor expansion or an algebraic formula. Many examples constructed in this paper can be used as models in Finsler geometry.