Principal Normal Indicatrices of Closed Space Curves

Abstract

A theorem due to J. Weiner, which is also proven by B. Solomon, implies that a principal normal indicatrix of a closed space curve with nonvanishing curvature has integrated geodesic curvature zero and contains no subarc with integrated geodesic curvature π. We prove that the inverse problem always has solutions if one allows zero and negative curvature of space curves and explain why this not is true if nonvanishing curvature is required. This answers affirmatively an open question asked by W. Fenchel in 1950 under the above assumptions but in general this question is found to be answered to the negative.