On the geometry of the 7-sphere (Q1895210)

Consider the Riemannian unit sphere \(S^7\) equipped with its canonical 3-Sasakian structure. The authors study submanifolds of \(S^7\) which are simultaneously integral manifolds of two or three of the corresponding contact distributions. The main results are as follows. If \(M^3\) is integral to two contact distributions and invariant under the third Sasakian structure, then \(M^3\) is a principal circle bundle over a holomorphic Legendre curve in \(P \mathbb{C}^3\). Moreover, if \(M^3\) is of constant \(\phi\)-sectional curvature, then \(M^3\) is either totally geodesic or a principal circle bundle over the Veronese curve in \(P \mathbb{C}^3\). If \(M^2\) is integral to two contact distributions and anti-invariant under the third Sasakian structure, then \(M^2\) is flat and the structure vector field of the third Sasakian structure is tangent to \(M^2\). The authors also determine all curves in \(S^7\) with constant curvature and unit torsion which are integral to all three contact distributions.