No label defined (Q4370979)

Let \(G\) be a compact Lie group and let \(M\) be a \(G\)-manifold. \textit{W.-Y. Hsiang} and \textit{H. B. Lawson} jun. [J. Differ. Geom. 5, 1-38 (1971; Zbl 0219.53045)] define the cohomogeneity of \(M\) as a minimal value of the codimension of \(G\)-orbits in \(M\). In particular, cohomogeneity zero manifolds are homogeneous spaces \(G/H\) for closed subgroups \(H\) of \(G\). In their earlier work, the authors gave a description of cohomogeneity one manifolds in terms of group theory and the related classification problem was reduced to representation theory. In the paper under review, the authors deal with asystatic \(G\)-manifolds, where a \(G\)-manifold \(M\) is called asystatic if a regular \(G\)-orbit \(G/K\) in \(M\) has stabilizer \(K\) which coincides with its connected normalizer in \(G\). They treat the problem of classification of asystatic cohomogeneity two \(G\)-manifolds. The local structure of such manifolds is described by using Dadok's classification of polar representations of compact Lie groups. Moreover, with such a manifold \(M\), the authors associate a stratified Riemannian surface \(D\) of constant curvature with a sectional-geodesic and an equipment of strata of \(D\) by subgroups of \(G\). In the case of contractible orbit space, \(D\) is identified with a Coxeter polygon in one of the standard spaces of constant curvature. The main theorem of the paper states that in this case, the Coxeter polygon \(D\) equipped with a system of subgroups provides a full system of invariants of \(M\). Also, any \(D\) which is equipped with a system of subgroups associated with its strata defines an asystatic cohomogeneity two \(G\)-manifold if this equipment satisfies some conditions. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0879.00051].