The Lorentzian Lichnerowicz conjecture for real-analytic, three-dimensional manifolds (Q6060800)

In the context of a compact pseudo-Riemannian manifold \((M,g)\) of dimension \(n\ge2\), the term ``essential'' for the conformal group Conf\((M, g)\) means that there is no metric \(g'\) conformal to \(g\) for which Conf\((M, g)\) is a subset of the isometry group Isom\((M,g')\). Lichnerowicz's well-known conjecture deals with the Riemannian case. It states that if \(g\) is Riemannian and Conf\((M, g)\) is essential, then \((M,g)\) must be conformally diffeomorphic to the standard sphere \(S^n\). This conjecture was independently proven by \textit{J. Lelong-Ferrand} [Mem. Cl. Sci., Collect. Octavo, Acad. R. Belg. 39, No. 5, 3--44 (1971; Zbl 0215.50902)] and \textit{M. Obata} [J. Differ. Geom. 6, 247--258 (1971; Zbl 0236.53042)]. In the pseudo-Riemannian setting, \textit{G. D'Ambra} and \textit{M. Gromov} [in: Surveys in differential geometry. Vol. I: Proceedings of the conference on geometry and topology, held at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA, April 27-29, 1990. Providence, RI: American Mathematical Society; Bethlehem, PA: Lehigh University. 19--111 (1991; Zbl 0752.57017)] suggested that if \((M,g)\) is pseudo-Riemannian and Conf\((M, g)\) is essential, then the manifold must be conformally flat. \textit{C. Frances} refuted this conjecture in [Transform. Groups 20, No. 4, 1015--1022 (2015; Zbl 1335.53097)], but the Lichnerowicz pseudo-Riemannian conjecture remains open in the Lorentzian case. This paper specifically tackles the Lichnerowicz conjecture in the case of compact, 3-dimensional, real-analytic Lorentzian manifolds, providing a positive confirmation in this particular instance.