A conformally invariant sphere theorem in four dimensions (Q1885393)

The authors show that any smooth, closed Riemannian 4-manifold \((M,g)\) with positive Yamabe invariant whose Weyl curvature \(W\) satisfies \(\int_M | W| ^2 < 16\pi^2 \chi(M)\) is diffeomorphic to either \(S^4\) or \(\mathbb RP^4\). They also prove a related rigidity theorem: If \((M,g)\) has positive Yamabe invariant and satisfies \(\int_M | W| ^2 = 16\pi^2 \chi(M)\) then \((M,g)\) is either diffeomorphic to \(S^4\) or \(\mathbb RP^4\), conformal to the complex projective plane with its Fubini-Study metric, or conformal to a manifold which is isometrically covered by \(S^3\times S^1\). In both theorems, the integral condition can be replaced with a condition that does not involve the Euler characteristics by applying the Chern-Gauss-Bonnet theorem. The main step in the proof of the first theorem is an existence result in conformal geometry which is a refinement of previous results of the authors [Ann. Math.(2) 155, 709--787 (2002; Zbl 1031.53062) and J. Anal. Math. 87, 151--186 (2002; Zbl 1067.58028)]. This existence result allows the authors to pass from the integral curvature condition to a pointwise condition and thus to apply a previous result of \textit{C.~Margerin} [Commun. Anal. Geom. 6, 21--65 (1998; Zbl 0966.53022)]. For the proof of the second theorem the authors first note that if \((M,g)\) is not diffeomorphic to \(S^4\) or \(\mathbb RP^4\) but satisfies the integral condition of the theorem then the metric \(g\) is Bach flat. Their proof is then based on several curvature identities for Bach-flat metrics.