Curvature, diameter, and quotient manifolds (Q1429218)

In the paper [Critical point theory for distance functions, Differential Geometry, Riemannian Geometry (Los Angeles, 1990), Proc. Symp. Pure Math. 54, Part 3, 357--385 (1993; Zbl 0806.53043)] \textit{K. Grove} asks whether, for each positive integer \(n\) and real number \(D\), the simply connected closed Riemannian \(n\)-manifolds \(M\) with diameter \(\leq D\) and sectional curvatures \(k\geq -1\) fall into finitely many rational homotopy types. This question has a positive answer in dimensions \(n\leq 5\). The author constructs \(6\)-dimensional manifolds which are biquotients of the form \(({\mathbf S}^3)^3/({\mathbf S}^1)^3\) for different free isometric actions of the group \(({\mathbf S}^1)^3\) on the Riemannian manifold \(({\mathbf S}^3)^3\). He proves that there are infinitely many isomorphism classes of rational cohomology rings among these manifolds. Since each of the considered manifolds has nonnegative sectional curvatures, this gives a negative answer to Grove's question in dimension 6. Furthermore, the author strengthens a recent result of \textit{F. Fang} and \textit{X. Rong} [Duke Math. J. 107, No. 1, 135--158 (2001; Zbl 1023.53022)] which is related to the Grove's question. In fact, he states the existence of numbers \(C\), \(D\) such that there are infinitely many isomorphism classes of rational cohomology rings among simply connected, closed Riemannian 7-manifolds with sectional curvatures \(-1\leq k\leq C\) and diameter \(\leq D\). Using again biquotients, the author also obtains a counterexample to K. Grove's question among nonnegatively curved 9-manifolds with upper curvature bound.