Geometric formality and non-negative scalar curvature (Q1623084)

In this paper the author discusses geometrically formal manifolds admitting some, possible non-formal, Riemannian metric of non-negative scalar curvature. For small dimensions (2, 3, 4) such manifolds are classified topologically (The existence of a metric of non-negative scalar curvature is a strong condition in small dimensions as a consequence of the Gauss-Bonnet theorem, in dimension 2, of the Thurston-Hamilton-Perelman geometrization, in dimension 3 and of the Seiberg-Witten theory, in dimension 4). Among closed orientable surfaces only the spheres and torus are geometrically formal. On the sphere all metrics are formal and on the torus a metric is formal if and only if it is flat. Geometrically formal three-manifolds were first classified by the author in [Duke Math. J. 107, No. 3, 521--531 (2001; Zbl 1036.53030)]. Manifolds admitting a metric of non-negative scalar curvature are presented in detail in this paper. This work is based on the following result: A closed orientable three-manifold \(M\) is geometrically formal if and only if it is one of the following: (a) any rational homology sphere; (b) a mapping torus \(M=M(\varphi)\) of a surface diffeomorphism \(\varphi:\Sigma \rightarrow \Sigma\) with \(b_1(M)=1\) or (c) a three-torus \(T^3\). This is generalized in the current paper. For manifolds whose first Betti numbers are sufficiently large, the classification extends to higher dimensions.