On Interpolation and Curvature via Wasserstein Geodesics

Abstract

In this article, a proof of the interpolation inequality along geodesics in $p$-Wasserstein spaces is given. This interpolation inequality was the main ingredient to prove the Borel-Brascamp-Lieb inequality for general Riemannian and Finsler manifolds and led Lott-Villani and Sturm to define an abstract Ricci curvature condition. Following their ideas, a similar condition can be defined and for positively curved spaces one can prove a Poincar\'e inequality. Using Gigli's recently developed calculus on metric measure spaces, even a $q$-Laplacian comparison theorem holds on $q$-infinitesimal convex spaces. In the appendix, the theory of Orlicz-Wasserstein spaces is developed and necessary adjustments to prove the interpolation inequality along geodesics in those spaces are given.