Actions of superrigid non-Kazhdan lattices on compact manifolds (Q1345124)

The actions of lattices in superrigid non-Kazhdan simple groups on compact manifolds are studied. The following results are proved: Theorem 1. Let \(\Gamma\) be an irreducible lattice in \(G\) (a semisimple Lie group with finite center), \(\mathbb{R} \text{-rank}(G) \geq 2\), and no compact factors. Suppose \(\Gamma\) acts ergodically on a compact manifold \(M\) of dimension 2 preserving volume density and connection. Then \(M = S^2\) or \(P_2(\mathbb{R})\). -- Theorem 2. Let \(\Gamma\) and \(G\) be as in Theorem 1. Suppose \(\Gamma\) acts ergodically on a compact manifold \(M\) preserving the Lorentz metric. Then either, (1) \(\Gamma\) leaves the Riemannian metric invariant and hence the action factors to \(\Gamma \to K \to \text{Diff}(M)\) where \(K\) is a compact Lie group, or (2) \(\Gamma\) factors to \(\Gamma \to \text{SL}(2,\mathbb{R}) \times K \to \text{Diff}(M)\), where \(K\) is a compact Lie group. In this case the simple components of \(G\) must be locally isomorphic to \(\text{SL}(2,\mathbb{R})\).