\(\widehat A\)-genus and collapsing. (Q5950239)

The author starts with a simple lemma: If \(M\) is a connected closed Riemannian spin manifold of nonnegative sectional curvature with dim(\(M)>0,\) then \(\hat A (M)=0\). A connected closed manifold \(M\) is almost-negatively-curved if for every \(\epsilon > 0\), there is a Riemannian metric \(g\) on \(M\) such that \(K(M,g)\cdot \text{diam} (M,g)^2\geq -\epsilon,\) where \(K\) is the sectional curvature. Almost flat manifolds are examples and these all have vanishing \(\hat A\)-genus. A connected manifold \(M\) collapses with curvature bounded below and diameter bounded above if there is a number \(D>0\) such that for any \(\epsilon >0\), there is a Riemannian metric \(g\) on \(M\) with \(K(M,g)\geq -1,\) diam\((M,g)\leq D\) and vol\((N,g)\leq\epsilon.\) The author raises questions about the vanishing of the \(\hat A\)-genus of a spin manifold, the first of which would apply to almost-negatively-curved spin manifolds and a second to spin manifolds that collapse with curvature bounded below and diameter bounded above. The first question is answered with an additional condition of an upper curvature bound. For the second question the author shows that certain compact Lie group actions on product manifolds yield quotients which collapse with curvature bounded below and diameter bounded above, and if spin have vanishing \(\hat A\)-genus. Necessary conditions for a connected closed manifold \(M\) to be almost-negatively-curved can be found in [\textit{K. Fukaya} and \textit{T. Yamaguchi}, Ann. Math. (2) 136, No. 2, 253--333 (1992; Zbl 0770.53028), \textit{S. Gallot}, C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris, Sér. I 296, 333--336 (1983; Zbl 0535.53034), \textit{M. Gromov}, Comment. Math. Helv. 56, 179--195 (1981; Zbl 0467.53021) and \textit{M. Weiss}, Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 124, No. 2, 615--622 (1996; Zbl 0852.53036)].