Symmetrical Fundamental Tensors, Differential Operators, and Integral Theorems in Differential Geometry

Abstract

To make the geometrical basis for soft matters with curved surfaces such as biomembranes as simple as possible, a symmetrical analytical system was developed in conventional differential geometry. The conventional second fundamental tensor is replaced by the so-called conjugate fundamental tensor. Because the differential properties of the conjugate fundamental tensor and the first fundamental tensor are symmetrical, the symmetrical analytical system including the symmetrical differential operators, symmetrical differential characteristics, and symmetrical integral theorems for tensor fields defined on curved surfaces can be constructed. From the symmetrical analytical system, the symmetrical integral theorems for mean curvature and Gauss curvature, with which the symmetrical Minkowski integral formulas are easily deduced just as special cases, can be derived. The applications of this symmetrical analytical system to biology not only display its simplicity and beauty, but also show its powers in depicting the symmetrical patterns of networks of biomembrane nanotubes. All these symmetrical patterns in soft matters should be just the reasonable and natural results of the symmetrical analytical system.