Besse conjecture for compact manifolds with pinched curvature (Q777086)

Let \(M^n\) be a compact smooth oriented manifold and consider the total scalar curvature functional \({\mathcal R}(g) = \int_M R_g dv_g\) for a Riemannian metric on \(M\), where \(R_g\) is the scalar curvature of the metric \(g\). The Euler-Lagrange equation for \({\mathcal R}\), restricted to the space of Riemannian metrics on \(M\) with constant scalar curvature and unit volume, is given by \[ \mathrm{Hess}(f) - (\Delta_g f) g - f\mathrm{Ric}_g =\mathrm{Ric}_g - \frac{R_g}{n}g,\tag{1} \] where \(f\) is a smooth function defined on \(M\), and \(\Delta_g\) and \(\mathrm{Ric}_g\) are the Laplacian and the Ricci curvature with respect to the metric \(g\), respectively. It is conjectured that, if there is a nontrivial function \(f\) satisfying (1), then \((M, g)\) is Einstein. There are some known results [\textit{A. Barros} and \textit{E. Ribeiro jun.}, Math. Nachr. 287, No. 14--15, 1618--1623 (2014; Zbl 1307.58006); \textit{A. Barros} et al., Math. Nachr. 288, No. 16, 1814--1821 (2015; Zbl 1332.53046); \textit{S. Hwang} et al., Math. Nachr. 283, No. 6, 846--853 (2010; Zbl 1198.53065); \textit{T.-H. Chang} and \textit{Y.-C. Huang}, Taiwanese J. Math. 18, No. 4, 1267--1282 (2014; Zbl 1357.53073); \textit{S. Hwang}, Manuscr. Math. 103, No. 2, 135--142 (2000; Zbl 0972.58009)] concerning the Besse conjecture. In this paper, the author proves that the Besse conjecture is true if there is a nontrivial function \(f\) satisfying (1) and the metric \(g\) satisfies \[ |W_g| \le \sqrt{\frac{n}{2(n-2)}} \left(\frac{R_g}{\sqrt{n(n-1)}} - 2 |\mathring{\mathrm{Ric}}_g|\right), \] where \(W_g\) is the Weyl curvature and \(\mathring{\mathrm{Ric}}_g =\mathrm{Ric}_g - \frac{R_g}{n}g\). The author also shows that, if there is a nontrivial solution to (1) with respect to a metric \(g\), and \(W_g\) and \(\mathrm{Ric}_g\owedge\mathrm{Ric}_g\) are orthogonal, then \(M\) is isometric to a standard sphere \(\mathbb{S}^n\).