An exotic \({T_{1}\mathbb{S}^4}\) with positive curvature (Q719682)

Aside from the classical rank-one symmetric spaces few examples of manifolds of positive sectional curvature have been constructed. All these examples can be obtained as quotients of compact Lie groups \(G\) with a bi-invariant metric by a free isometric ``two sided'' action of a subgroup \(H\subset G\times G.\) The main purpose of this work is the presentation of a new method for the construction of positively curved manifolds, and using it to exhibit one new manifold with positive curvature. More precisely, the authors construct a metric with positive sectional curvature on a 7-dimensional manifold which supports an isometry group with orbits of codimension 1. It is a connection metric on a total space of an orbifold 3-sphere bundle over an orbifold 4-sphere. By a result of S. Goette, the manifold is homeomorphic but not diffeomorphic to the unit tangent bundle of the 4-sphere.