On Chen's basic equality (Q1129405)

Given an isometric immersion \(f: M^n\to \mathbb{Q}_c^{n+p}\) of a Riemannian manifold into a space of constant sectional curvature \(c\), it was shown by \textit{B.-Y. Chen} [Arch. Math. 60, 568-578 (1993; Zbl 0811.53060)] that the inequality \[ \delta_M\leq \frac{n-2}{2} \Biggl\{ \frac{n^2}{(n-1)}\| H\|^2+ (n+1)c \Biggr\} \] holds pointwise. Here, \(H\) denotes the mean curvature vector of \(f\) and \(\delta_M\) stands for the intrinsic invariant defined as \(\delta_M(x)= s(x)- \inf \{K(\sigma): \sigma\subset T_xM\}\), where \(K\) and \(s\) denote, respectively, sectional and not normalized scalar curvature of \(M^n\). In this paper, we show that nonminimal submanifolds satisfying equality in the above inequality are cones, cylinders or have the simplest possible geometric structure among submanifolds foliated by totally umbilic codimension two spheres, namely, they are rotation submanifolds over surfaces. We also discuss the general problem whether a submanifold foliated by totally umbilic spheres of codimension two is rotational, and present necessary and sufficient conditions for this to occur.