Invariant metrics with nonnegative curvature on SO(4) and other Lie groups (Q2470254)

The authors study the classification problem of left-invariant metrics with non-negative curvature on compact Lie groups. They prove that the unique inverse-linear path from any fixed bi-invariant metric to a left-invariant metric with non-negative curvature passes through non-negatively curved metrics. These metrics arise from \textit{J. Cheeger}'s construction [J. Differ. Geom. 8, 623--628 (1973; Zbl 0281.53040)]. This can be used to determine left-invariant metrics with non-negative curvature on compact Lie groups: Fix a bi-invariant metric, find all initial directions of inverse-linear paths preserving non-negative curvature, and compute how far these paths preserve non-negative curvature. Under additional assumptions on the metrics this is made explicit for SO(4).