Generalized Obata theorem and its applications on foliations (Q624564)

A result of \textit{M. Obata} [J. Math. Soc. Japan 14, 333--340 (1962; Zbl 0115.39302)] states that a complete \(n\)-dimensional Riemannian manifold \((M,g)\) admits a non-constant function \(f\in C^2(M)\) such that \(\nabla_X df=-c^2 f g(X,\cdot)\) for all vectors \(X\) if and only if \((M,g)\) is isometric to a round sphere \(S^n(1/c)\) of radius \(1/c\). The authors successfully generalize the above to foliations as follows. Let \(M\) be a connected, complete Riemannian manifold, with a foliation \(\mathcal F\) of codimension \(q\geq2\) equipped with a bundle-like metric. Then there exists a non-constant basic function \(f\in C^2(M)\) such that \(\nabla_X df=-c^2 f g(X,\cdot)\) for all vectors \(X\) normal to \(\mathcal F\) if and only if \((M,\mathcal F)\) is transversely isometric to \((S^q(1/c),G)\), where \(G\subset O(q)\) is a discrete subgroup acting by isometries on \(S^q(1/c)\). The latter means that there exists a homeomorphism between the leaf space \(M/\mathcal F\) and the orbit space \(S^q(1/c)/G\) that is locally covered by isometries. As an application of \textit{M. Obata}'s result [loc. cit.], a compact Einstein manifold of constant scalar curvature admitting a non-isometric conformal field must be isometric to a round sphere. This is carried on to foliations, giving a classification of manifolds that admit transverse non-isometric conformal fields. More precisely, let \(M\) be a compact Riemannian manifold with a transversely Einstein foliation \(\mathcal F\) of codimension \(q\) and positive constant transverse scalar curvature. If \(M\) admits a transverse non-isometric conformal field, then \((M,\mathcal F)\) is transversely isometric to \((S^q,G)\), where \(G\subset O(q)\) is a discrete subgroup.