On the Mostow rigidity theorem and measurable foliations by hyperbolic space (Q760078)

The main result of the paper is the following Theorem 1: Let \(G=SO(1,n)\{\pm I\}\), \(n\geq 3\). Let S, S' be essentially free ergodic G- spaces with finite invariant measure. Let \(K\subset G\) be a maximal compact subgroup and S/K and S'/K the associated Riemannian foliations by n-dimensional hyperbolic space G/K. Suppose there is a quasi-conformal homeomorphic orbit equivalence S/K\(\to S'/K\). Then the actions of G on S and S' are conjugate modulo an automorphism of G and the associated foliations by hyperbolic space are isometric modulo a normalizing scalar multiple. This theorem is an ergodic-theoretic version of Mostow's rigidity theorem for hyperbolic space. The following questions are formulated. (I) Can Theorem 1 be extended to actions of other R-rank 1 simple Lie groups? (II) Can a free ergodic action of SO(1,n) with finite invariant measure be orbit equivalent to such an action of SO(1,k)? More generally, do the results of the author's paper [Ann. Math., II. Ser. 112, 511-529 (1980; Zbl 0468.22011)] extend to the R-rank 1 case?