Published online by Cambridge University Press: 14 February 2012
Tensor fields and linear connections in an n-dimensional differentiable manifold M can be extended, in a natural way, to the tangent bundle T(M) of M to give tensor fields of the same type and linear connections in T(M) respectively. We call such extensions complete lifts to T(M) of tensor fields and linear connections in M.
On the other hand, when a vector field V is given in M, V determines a cross-section which is an n-dimensional submanifold in the 2n-dimensional tangent bundle T(M).
We study first the behaviour of complete lifts of tensor fields on such a cross-section. The complete lift of an almost complex structure being again an almost complex structure, we study especially properties of the cross-section as a submanifold in an almost complex manifold.
We also study properties of cross-sections with respect to the linear connection which is the complete lift of a linear connection in M and with respect to the linear connection induced by the latter on the cross-section. To quote a typical result: A necessary and sufficient condition for a cross-section to be totally geodesic is that the vector field V in M defining the cross-section in T(M) be an affine Killing vector field in M.