Covering R-trees, R-free groups, and dendrites

We prove that every length space X is the orbit space (with the quotient metric) of an R-tree T via a free action of a locally free subgroup G(X) of isometries of X. The mapping f:T->X is a kind of generalized covering map called a URL-map and is universal among URL-maps onto X. T is the unique R-tree admitting a URL-map onto X. When X is a complete Riemannian manifold M of dimension n>1, the Menger sponge, the Sierpin'ski carpet or gasket, T is isometric to the so-called "universal" R-tree A_{c}, which has valency equal to the cardinality of the continuum at each point. In these cases, and when X is the Hawaiian earring H, the action of G(X) on T gives examples in addition to those of Dunwoody and Zastrow that negatively answer a question of J. W. Morgan about group actions on R-trees. Indeed, for one length metric on H, we obtain precisely Zastrow's example.Comment: This paper is the result of splitting off some of the results in the preprint "Covering R-trees" and adding additional applications to R-free group

Perfect and almost perfect homogeneous polytopes

The paper is devoted to perfect and almost perfect homogeneous polytopes in Euclidean spaces. We classified perfect and almost perfect polytopes among all regular polytopes and all semiregular polytopes excepting Archimedean solids and two four-dimensional Gosset polytopes. Also we construct some non-regular homogeneous polytopes that are (or are not) perfect and posed some unsolved questions.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figure

Isometries, submetries and distance coordinates on Finsler manifolds

This paper considers fundamental issues related to Finslerian iso- metries, submetries, distance and geodesics. It is shown that at each point of a Finsler manifold there is a distance coordinate system. Us- ing distance coordinates, a simple proof is given for the Finslerian version of the Myers-Steenrod theorem and for the differentiability of Finslerian submetries