Gallot-Tanno theorem for pseudo-Riemannian metrics and a proof that decomposable cones over closed complete pseudo-Riemannian manifolds do not exist (Q960876)

The aim of this note is to study some properties of the equation \(\nabla_i\nabla_j\nabla_k\lambda+2\nabla_k\lambda\cdot g_{ij}+\nabla_i\lambda\cdot g_{ki}+\nabla_j\lambda\cdot g_{ik}=0 \) for some function \(\lambda\) defined on a manifold \(M^n\) endowed with a metric \(g\). Obata was the first to notice that the eigenfunctions of the second eigenvalue of the Laplacians \(\Delta_g\) of metrics with constant positive scalar curvature satisfy the previous equation. This lead him to ask whether the existence of a nonconstant solution on a complete manifold would imply that the manifold is covered by the sphere. Gallot and Tanno gave (independently) an affirmative answer to this question. The author generalises the results of Gallot and Tanno to the pseudo-Riemannian case. Sample theorem (Thm.1): Let \(g\) a light-like-complete connected pseudo-Riemannian metric of indefinite signature on a closed \(n\)-dimensional manifold \(M^n.\) Then every solution of the equation of interest is constant.