A pinching theorem for four manifolds (Q1824874): Difference between revisions

It is well-known that every compact and simply connected Riemannian manifold \(M^ n\) whose sectional curvature satisfies \(1\geq K_{\sigma}\geq 1/4\) is topologically \(S^ n\), or else is isometric to a rank 1 symmetric space. The author states the following result: Suppose M is a four-dimensional compact oriented connected boundaryless Riemannian manifold whose sectional curvature satisfies \(1\geq K_{\sigma}\geq (3\sqrt{1+(2^{5/4}/5^{1/2})}+1)^{-1}\approx 0,188.\) Then M is topologically \(S^ 4\) or \(CP^ 2\). This result is proved with the help of some method of Berger and Freedman's classification of simply connected compact four-manifolds [\textit{M. Berger}, C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris 257, 4122-4125 (1963; Zbl 0129.357); \textit{M. H. Freedman}, J. Differ. Geom. 17, 357-453 (1982; Zbl 0528.57011)].