Almost Kenmotsu manifolds and local symmetry (Q2381147)

The first section of the paper concerns some characterizations of Kenmotsu manifolds. The authors prove the following theorem: Let \((M^{2n+1},\varphi,\xi,\eta,g)\) be an almost Kenmotsu manifold, such that the Lie derivative of \(\varphi\), with respect to \(\xi\), \(\mathfrak{L}_{\xi}\varphi\) vanishes. Then, \(M^{2n+1}\) is locally a warped product \(M'\times_{f^2} N^{2n}\), where \(N^{2n}\) is an almost Kähler manifold, \(M'\) is an open interval with coordinate \(t\) and \(f^2=c e^{2t}\) for some positive constant \(c\). In the second section, the authors assume that \((M^{2n+1},\varphi,\xi,\eta,g)\) is a locally symmetric almost Kenmotsu manifold and prove two interesting theorems: {\parindent=5mm \begin{itemize}\item[1)] The following conditions are equivalent: {\parindent=10mm \begin{itemize}\item[a)] \(M\) is a Kenmotsu manifold; \item[b)] \(\mathfrak{L}_{\xi}\varphi=0\). \end{itemize}} Moreover, if any of the conditions holds, \(M\) has constant sectional curvature \(K=-1\). \item[2)] If \(R_{XY}\xi=0\) for any \(X,Y\) orthogonal to \(\xi\) and \(\mathfrak{L}_{\xi}\varphi\) does not vanish, then \(M\) is locally isometric to the Riemannian product of an \((n+1)\)-dimensional manifold of constant curvature \(-4\) and a flat \(n\)-dimensional manifold. \end{itemize}} Some examples are given. Finally, comparing with the contact case [see \textit{D. Blair}, Tohoku Math. J. 2, 29, 319--324 (1977; Zbl 0376.53021)], the authors state the following question: is a locally symmetric almost Kenmotsu manifold either Kenmotsu of constant curvature \(-1\) or locally isometric to the product \(\mathbb{H}^{n+1}(-4)\times\mathbb{R}^n\)?