A congruence theorem for hypersurfaces of Riemannian manifolds (Q1822779)

Let \(\phi\) : \(R\times M\to M\) be a smooth 1-parameter group of transformations of a smooth Riemannian manifold M generated by a vector field \(\xi\), and let W be a hypersurface in M on which a smooth real- valued function f is given. Then a subset \(\bar W=\psi (W)\) of M is defined by the map \(\psi\) : \(W\to M\); \(q\to \phi (f(q),q)\). If f attains a greatest value, say c, at some point \(p\in W\) then \(\bar W\) has a local manifold structure at \(\bar p=\psi (p)\) so that the restriction of \(\psi\) to some neighbourhood V of p on W is injective. Th mean curvature of \(\bar W\) is then well defined on \(\psi\) (V). Also, for each \(t\in {\mathbb{R}}^ a \)hypersurface \(W_ t\) is defined by \(W_ t=\phi_ t(W)\). The authors show that if for each such maximum point of f the mean curvatures of \(\bar W\) and \(W_{f(q)}\) agree at \(\psi\) (q), \(q\in V\) and if \(\xi\) is not tangential to \(\psi\) (V) at \(\bar p\) then \(\bar W=\phi_ c(W)\). Thus, in particular, \(\bar W\) is a hypersurface in M. This result generalizes an earlier theorem due to \textit{H. Hopf} and \textit{Y. Katsurada} [Comment. Math. Helv. 43, 217-223 (1968; Zbl 0163.435)].