Uniqueness of certain 3-dimensional homologically volume minimizing submanifolds in compact simple Lie groups (Q1077743)

Let G be a compact simple Lie group whose rank is greater than 1 and \(G_ 1\) be a 3-dimensional analytic subgroup of G associated with the highest root of G. The second named author introduced a calibration by the fundamental 3-form \(\phi\) on G and proved that \(G_ 1\) is a volume minimizing submanifold in its real homology class [ibid. 9, 117-131 (1985; Zbl 0581.53044)]. In this paper we show that any volume minimizing compact oriented submanifold in the homology class \([G_ 1]\) is congruent with \(G_ 1\) in G. This is obtained by proving that any \(\phi\)-submanifold is totally geodesic.