Separation of variables in the Hamilton–Jacobi equation for geodesics in two and three dimensions

Abstract

On (pseudo)Riemannian manifolds of two and three dimensions, we list all metrics that admit a complete separation of variables in the Hamilton–Jacobi equation for geodesics. There are three different classes of separable metrics on two-dimensional surfaces. Three-dimensional manifolds admit six classes of separable metrics. Within each class, metrics are related by canonical transformations and a nondegenerate transformation of parameters that does not depend on coordinates.