Space-time convex functions and sectional curvature

Abstract

We show that in Lorentzian manifolds, sectional curvature bounds of the form $\mathcal{R}\le K\,$, as defined by Andersson and Howard, are closely tied to space-time convex and $\lambda$-convex ($\lambda>0$) functions, as defined by Gibbons and Ishibashi. Among the consequences are a natural construction of such functions, and an analogue, that applies to domains of a new type, of a theorem of Al\'ias, Bessa and deLira ruling out trapped submanifolds.