The classification of homogeneous Einstein metrics on flag manifolds with \(b_2(M) = 1\) (Q401433)

The authors study homogeneous Einstein metrics on generalized flag manifolds \(M= G/H\) with second Betti number \(b_2(M)= 1\), \(G\) being a compact, connected, simple Lie group. These spaces are divided in six classes, according to the decomposition of the associated isotropy representation. It is known that all the considered manifolds admit a unique Kähler-Einstein metric. In particular, this metric is given by the Killing form if and only if it is associated with a compact irreducible Hermitian symmetric space. Recent results allow to classify the homogeneous Einstein metrics on the manifolds in four of the mentioned classes. In this article the authors focus their attention to the remaining two classes, each consisting of one flag manifold, namely \(M'= E_8/\mathrm{U}(1)\times \mathrm{SU}(4)\times \mathrm{SU}(5)\), \(M''= E_8/\mathrm{U}(1)\times\mathrm{SU}(2)\times \mathrm{SU}(3)\times \mathrm{SU}(5)\). Here \(E_8\) denotes the Lie group whose Lie algebra is a compact real form of the exceptional simple Lie algebra \(e_8\). For both cases, applying a method based on the theory of Riemannian submersions, the authors construct the homogeneous Einstein equation and determine all real positive solutions of it. This allows to classify all homogeneous Einstein metrics. More precisely, they prove that \(M'\) admits exactly five non-Kähler \(E_8\)-invariant Einstein metrics, up to isometry. The generalized flag manifold \(M''\) admits, up to an isometry and a scale, four non-Kähler \(G\)-invariant Einstein metrics. Combining with other known classification theorems, one obtains the next result. Main Theorem. Let \(G\) be a compact, connected, simple Lie group and \(M= G/H\) a generalized flag manifold with \(b_2(M)= 1\), which is not an irreducible Hermitian symmetric space. Then \(M\) admits a finite number of non-isometric \(G\)-invariant Einstein metrics which are not Kähler.