The topology of group extensions of C systems

The paper is concerned with the topological and metric properties of group extensions of C systems. The basic theorem describes the topologically transitive component, the ergodic component, and the K component of a group extension of a C system. It is shown that each of these components is a group sub-bundle of a principal bundle in which the group extension acts. The frame flow on a manifold of negative curvature is seen to be a special case of a group of extension of a C system. It is shown that the space of frames on a compact three-dimensional manifold with negative curvature does not have any group sub-bundles, so that the frame flow on manifolds of this class is topologically transitive, ergodic, and a K system.