This theorem says that if M is a connected complete Riemannian manifold with non-negative Ricci curvature, and if it contains a line, then M splits isometrically as NxR. I will present a simplified proof by Eschenburg. The main ingredients are Busemann functions and the Hopf-Calabi maximum principle. If time allows I will also give applications of the theorem and of the tools used in the proof.
Graduate Student Geometry-Topology Seminar
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 1:00pm
Ricardo Mendes
Penn