Manifolds that admit parallel vector fields (Q5966445)

The author shows that for a compact, connected manifold the following statements are equivalent: (a) M has a vector field that is parallel with respect to some Riemannian metric. (b) Under a suitable metric, M has a Killing vector field v and a harmonic 1-form \(\alpha\) such that \(\alpha\) (v)\(\neq 0\). (c) M is a fiber bundle over a torus, with finite structural group. To show that (b) implies (c), let C be the closure of the 1-parameter subgroup of the isometry group of M generated by the vector field v. Map M into a quotient of C by integration of harmonic 1-forms over paths at some base point. Given (c), the author is able to construct a metric on M with the desired properties, but not all such metrics are obtained. As a corollary, the author reobtains the inequalities of \textit{L. Karp} [Bull. Am. Math. Soc. 83, 1051-1053 (1977; Zbl 0376.53024)] for the Betti numbers of M.