Minimal surfaces and 3-manifolds of non-negative Ricci curvature (Q1107845)

The following splitting theorem is established: Let M \(2\subset N\) 3 be a complete area minimizing surface in a complete 3-manifold of non-negative Ricci curvature \(Ric_ N\geq 0.\) Then the universal covering \(\tilde N\) 3 of N 3 is isometric to a product \(\tilde M\) \(2\times {\mathbb{R}}\), and all sectional curvatures of N 3 are non-negative. This is used in combination with previous results of Schoen-Yau to topologically classify (and establish rigidity of) 3-manifolds of non-negative Ricci curvature. Namely, such a manifold is either diffeomorphic to \({\mathbb{R}}^ 3 \)or the universal cover is isometric to a product M \(2\times {\mathbb{R}}\), with M 2 a surface of non-negative Gauss curvature. Some further results are obtained regarding intersection and placement properties of minimal surfaces (not necessarily area minimizing) in such 3-manifolds.