On negatively curved \(G\)-manifolds of low cohomogeneity (Q1048687)

Let \(G\) be a closed and connected Lie subgroup of the group of isometries of a complete Riemannian manifold \(M\). Let \(K=\dim M-\max\{\dim Gx:x\in M\},\) where \(Gx\) is the orbit of \(x\). The number \(K\) is called the \(G\)-cohomogeneity of \(M\), and the manifold \(M\) is called a \(C_K\)-\(G\)-manifold. The \(C_0\)-\(G\)-manifolds and \(C_1\)-\(G\) manifolds of negative curvature have been characterized from topological point of view by \textit{S. Kobayashi} [Tohoku Math. J., II. Ser. 14, 413-415 (1962; Zbl 0107.39001)], and \textit{F. Podesta} and \textit{A. Spiro} [Ann. Global Anal. Geom. 14, No.~1, 69--79 (1996; Zbl 0846.53024)], respectively. In the current paper the author considers \(C_2\)-\(G\)-manifolds and shows that, if \(M\) is a non-simply connected and negatively curved \(C_2\)-\(G\)-manifold and \(M^G\not=\emptyset\) then \(M\) is diffeomorphic to \(S^1\times\mathbb{R}^{n-1}\) or \(B^2\times\mathbb{R}^{n-2},\) where \(B^2\) is the Möbius band.