The linear isotropy group of \(G_ 2/SO(4)\), the Hopf fibering and isoparametric hypersurfaces (Q1324962)

\textit{U. Abresch} [Math. Ann. 264, 283-302 (1983; Zbl 0514.53050)] proved that if an isoparametric hypersurface has \(g = 6\) different principal curvatures, then their multiplicities \(m\) are all equal and \(m = 1\) or 2. It was then proved by \textit{J. Dorfmeister} and \textit{E. Neher} [Commun. Algebra 13, 2299-2368 (1985; Zbl 0578.53041)] that there is such a unique hypersurface with \(m = 1\). It is known to be a principal orbit of the isotropy representation of the symmetric space \(G_ 2/SO(4)\). The proof of Dorfmeister and Neher is purely algebraic. It would be of great interest to have a geometric proof. In the first part of the paper under review, the author gives a beautiful description of the geometry of the hypersurface with \(g = 6\) and \(m = 1\) that is interesting in its own right. In the second part of the paper a geometric characterization is given of the isoparametric hypersurface with \(g = 6\) and \(m = 1\).