Hessian of Busemann functions and rank of Hadamard manifolds

Abstract

In this article we show that every geodesic is rank one and the Hessian of Busemann functions is positive definite for a harmonic Damek-Ricci space, a two step solvable Lie group with a left invariant metric. Moreover, the eigenspace of the Hessian of Busemann functions on a Hadamard manifold $(M,g)$ corresponding to eigenvalue zero is investigated with respect to rank of geodesics. On a harmonic Hadamard manifold which is of purely exponential volume growth, or of hypergeometric type it is shown that every Busemann function admits positive definite Hessian. A criterion for $(M,g)$ fulfilling visibility axiom is presented in terms of positive definiteness of the Hessian of Busemann functions.