On constant curvature submanifolds of space forms (Q2022410)

Let \(\mathbb{Q}_{\tilde{c}}^{n+p}\) be a simply connected space form. A well-known result of \textit{E. Cartan} [Bull. Soc. Math. Fr. 47, 125--160 (1920; JFM 47.0692.03)] states that an isometric immersion \(f:M_c^n\to \mathbb{Q}_{\tilde{c}}^{n+p}\) of a connected Riemannian manifold \(M_c^n\) of constant sectional curvature \(c\) has codimension \(p\geq n-1\) and if \(p=n-1\) the normal bundle is flat, provided that \(n\geq 3\) and \(c<\tilde{c}\). The dual case \(c>\tilde{c}\) was considered by \textit{J. D. Moore} [Duke Math. J. 44, 449--484 (1977; Zbl 0361.53050)] and the same conclusion was obtained under the extra assumption that \(f\) is free of weak-umbilic points. In this short paper, the authors consider the converse of the above-mentioned results. The main result is that if the dimension of the first normal space of the immersion \(f:M_c^n\to \mathbb{Q}_{\tilde{c}}^{n+p}, n\geq 2, c\neq \tilde{c}\) is \(n-1\) (if \(c>\tilde{c}\), it is also assumed that \(f\) is free of weak-umbilic points.), then the substantial codimension of the immersion is \(p=n-1\). Examples are also provided to show that any substantial codimension is possible if the first normal space has the highest possible rank \(n\).