A compactness theorem in Finsler geometry

Abstract

Let (M.F) be a complete Finsler manifold and P be a minimal and compact submanifold of M. Ric_k(x), x in M is a differential invariant that interpolates between the flag curvature and the Ricci curvature. We prove that if on any geodesic c(t) emanating orthogonally from P we have \int_{0}^{\infty}\mathbf{Ric}_{k}(t)>0, then M is compact.