Actions of SU(2) on \(S^ 7\) (Q1071359)

The paper is concerned with almost free (i.e. each isotropy group is finite) SU(2) actions on \(S^ 7\). Let \(C=\{\pm 1\}\) be the center of \(SU(2)=S^ 3\). The main result is Theorem. Let SU(2) act smoothly, effectively, and almost freely on \(S^ 7\). If the fixed point set of the center C is an empty set, then the action is free. It is well known that SU(2) can act freely on \(S^ 7\). In addition, the author points out two more almost free actions, one which is not effective and has F(C)\(\neq 0\), and one which is effective and has F(C)\(\neq 0\).