Invariant Metrics on Cohomogeneity One Manifolds

Let G be one of the connected subgroups of the orthogonal group of ⁿ which acts transitively on the unit sphere S ^n–1. We get the necessary and sufficient condition for G-invariant metrics g on ⁿ \{0} to be extendend to the origin. For n=2 this is a classical result of Berard–Bergery. The curvature tensor and the sectional curvature of any such Riemannian G-manifold ( ⁿ , g) are described in terms of the length of the Killing vector fields, as well as the second fundamental form of the regular orbits G(P)=S ^n–1. As an application we describe all G-invariant metrics which are Kähler, hyperKähler or have constant principal curvatures. Some of these results are generalized to the case of any cohomogeneity one G-manifold which, in a neighbourhood of a singular orbit, can be identified with a twisted product.