Rigidity of area minimizing tori in 3-manifolds of nonnegative scalar curvature (Q5929585)

Let \(M\) be a complete \(3\)-dimensional Riemannian manifold with nonnegative scalar curvature, and \(\Sigma\) a two-sided torus in \(M\) of least area in its isotopy class. Under these hypotheses it is proved in this paper that \(M\) is flat. If \(\Sigma\) is merely assumed to be locally of least area, then \(M\) is shown to be flat in a neighbourhood of \(\Sigma\). This is an analogue of the Cheeger-Gromoll splitting theorem. The authors already obtained the same result assuming \(M\) analytic [Math. Z. 223, No. 3, 387-395 (1996; Zbl 0869.53035)]. Another result in the same line was obtained by \textit{M. T. Anderson} and \textit{L. Rodríguez} [Math. Ann. 284, No. 3, 461-475 (1989; Zbl 0653.53024)]. The case of locally area-minimizing \(\Sigma\) is considered first. In this case the authors prove that \(\Sigma\) cannot be locally of strictly least area, since in this case the metric could be deformed to a metric of strictly positive scalar curvature, and the torus to another least area torus in the new metric. This would contradict the fact, proved by \textit{D. Fischer-Colbrie} and \textit{R. Schoen} [Commun. Pure Appl. Math. 33, 199-211 (1980; Zbl 0439.53060)], that a compact two-sided stable minimal surface in a \(3\)-manifold with strictly positive scalar curvature has to be a sphere. Then the authors show the existence of two tori which are locally of least area, one at each side of \(\Sigma\). By cutting and pasting they obtain a smooth \(3\)-torus with nonnegative scalar curvature, which must be flat by results of \textit{R. Schoen} and \textit{S.-T. Yau} [Ann. Math. (2) 110, 127-142 (1979; Zbl 0431.53051)]. In case \(\Sigma\) is globally of least area, then the previous local result and a continuation argument imply that \(M\) is flat. The paper concludes with some remarks and open questions.