\(L^p\)-cohomology and pincing (Q2427588)

If \(V\) is a rank \(1\) symmetric space of compact type with non-constant curvature, then \(V\) does not admit a Riemannian metric with curvature comprised between \(\delta\) and \(1\) in the case when \(\delta>1/4\). If \(-1\leq\delta<0\), a Riemannian manifold is called \(\delta\)-pinched if there exists \(a>0\) such that its curvature should be comprised between \(-a\) and \(\delta a\). For example, the real hyperbolic space \(\mathbb{R}H^n\) is \(-1\)-pinched. The rank \(1\) symmetric spaces of non-compact type with non-constant curvature are \(-1/4\)-pinched. The paper deals with the following problem: If \(M\) is a \(\delta\)-pinched Riemannian manifold, does there exist a Riemannian manifold \(N\) quasi-isometric with \(M\) and \(\delta'\)-pinched with \(\delta'<\delta\)? Let \(G_{2,4,-1/4}\) be the semi-direct product \(\mathbb{R}\rtimes\mathbb{R}^3\) defined through the one-parameter automorphism group of \(\mathbb{R}^3\) generated by the matrix \(\left(\begin{smallmatrix} 1 & 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 & 2 \end{smallmatrix}\right)\). The Riemannian metric written in exponential coordinates \(t\) (on \(\mathbb{R}\)), \(x,y,z\) (on \(\mathbb{R}^3\)) as \(ds^2:=dt^2+e^{2t}(dx^2+dy^2)+e^{4t}dz^2\) is left-invariant and \(-1/4\)-pinched [see for example \textit{E. Heintze}, Math. Ann. 211, 23--34 (1974; Zbl 0273.53042)]. If \(\delta'<-1/4\), the author proves that any \(\delta'\)-pinched Riemannian manifold cannot be quasi-isometric with \(G_{2,4,-1/4}\). Moreover, the author shows that the same result is still valid even for a certain family of homogeneous Riemannian manifolds \(G_{\mu,n,\delta}\), where \(\delta\in (-1,0)\) and \(\mu,n\) are natural numbers such that \(2\leq\mu<n-1\). The proof is based on two of the author's results, that have been previously announced (see [Symplectic geometry. Based on lectures given at a workshop and conference held at the University of Warwick, GB in August 1990. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Lond. Math. Soc. Lect. Note Ser. 192, 183--195 (1993; Zbl 0822.53020) and Rigidity in dynamics and geometry. Contributions from the programme Ergodic theory, geometric rigidity and number theory, Isaac Newton Institute for the Mathematical Sciences, Cambridge, UK, January 5--July 7, 2000. Berlin: Springer, 379--389 (2002; Zbl 1009.53029)]). One of these is a sharp vanishing theorem for the \(L^p\)-cohomology torsion (\(p>1\) is a real number) of Riemannian manifolds with pinched negative curvature, which is a refinement of a result due to \textit{H. Donnelly} and \textit{F. Xavier} [see Am. J. Math. 106, 169--185 (1984; Zbl 0547.58034)]. An open problem is pointed out.