No label defined (Q4793249)

Let \(f,f'\) be two Riemannian metrics on some manifold \(M\). We say that \(f\) is more mobile than \(f'\) if the inclusion \(\text{Iso} (M,f') \subseteq \text{Iso} (M,f)\) holds for their groups of isometries. This relation of mobility defines a partial order on the set of all Riemannian metrics on \(M\), and we call metrics of maximal mobility the maximal elements concerning this order. We say that a homogeneous metric is of locally maximal mobility if the connected component of the identity \(\text{Iso} (M)_0\) of its group of isometries is maximal among all connected groups of isometries. We say that a topological space \(M\) is aspherical if all its homotopy groups \(\pi_i(M)\) are trivial for all \(i\geq 2\). In the first part of this article, the author proves the following. Let \(M=G/H\) be a connected Riemannian homogeneous space with an invariant Riemannian metric \(f\) and suppose that \(G=\text{Iso} (M)\). If \(f\) is a metric of maximal or locally maximal mobility on \(M\), then there exists a subgroup \(G_1\) of \(G\) with triangular radical which is transitive on \(M\). Moreover, if \(M\) is aspherical, then it is possible to choose the subgroup \(G_1\) in such a way that its action on \(M\) will be almost simply transitive. If \(M\) is also simply connected, then \(G_1\) will be simply transitive on \(M\). The second and the third parts of the article are devoted to the study of the isometry groups of a class of nilpotent Lie groups endowed with an invariant Riemannian metric. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0995.00006].