Dependence of the Gauss-Codazzi equations and the Ricci equation of Lorentz surfaces

Abstract

The fundamental equations of Gauss, Codazzi and Ricci provide the conditions for local isometric embeddability. In general, the three fundamental equations are independent for surfaces in Riemannian 4-manifolds. In contrast, we prove in this article that for arbitrary Lorentz surfaces in Lorentzian Kaehler surfaces the equation of Ricci is a consequence of the equations of Gauss and Codazzi.