The axiom of generalized hyperspheres in Riemannian geometry (Q1070529)

Let M be a Riemannian manifold of dimension \(m\geq 3\) and N a hypersurface in M. For some positive \(\epsilon\), consider the diffeomorphism \(\phi: N\times [0,\epsilon)\to M\) given by \(\phi (p,t):=\exp tv_ p\), where \(p\in N\) and \(v_ p\) is the unit normal vector to N at p. Then, \(N_ t:=\phi (N,t)\) is a hypersurface in M for each t. In this paper, the authors introduce the following axiom of generalized hyperspheres: For every point \(p\in M\) and (m-1)-dimensional subspace \(T'_ p\) of \(T_ pM\), there exists a hypersurface N through p such that \(T_ pN=T'_ p\) and N is umbilical at exp tv\({}_ p\) for each \(t\in [0,\epsilon)\). The main result of this paper is as follows: Let M be a Riemannian manifold of dimension \(m\geq 3\). If M satisfies the axiom of generalized hyperspheres, then M is a space of constant curvature.