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Purpose

Cotton soliton is a newly introduced notion in the field of Riemannian manifolds. The object of this article is to study the properties of this soliton on certain contact metric manifolds.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors consider the notion of Cotton soliton on almost Kenmotsu 3-manifolds. The authors use a local basis of the manifold that helps to study this notion in terms of partial differential equations.

Findings

First the authors consider that the potential vector field is pointwise collinear with the Reeb vector field and prove a non-existence of such Cotton soliton. Next the authors assume that the potential vector field is orthogonal to the Reeb vector field. It is proved that such a Cotton soliton on a non-Kenmotsu almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifold such that the Reeb vector field is an eigen vector of the Ricci operator is steady and the manifold is locally isometric to.

Originality/value

The results of this paper are new and interesting. Also, the Proposition 3.2 will be helpful in further study of this space.

An almost contact metric manifold is an odd dimensional differentiable manifold M2n+1 together with a structure (φ, ξ, η, g) satisfying ([1, 2])

(1.1)
(1.2)

for all vector fields X, Y on M2n+1, where g is the Riemannian metric, φ is a (1, 1)-tensor field, ξ is a unit vector field called the Reeb vector field and η is a 1-form defined by η(X) = g(X, ξ). Here also ϕξ = 0 and η ° ϕ = 0; both can be derived from (1.1) easily. The fundamental 2-form Φ on an almost contact metric manifold is defined by Φ(X, Y) = g(X, φY) for all vector fields X, Y on M2n+1. The condition for an almost contact metric manifold being normal is equivalent to vanishing of the (1, 2)-type torsion tensor Nφ, defined by Nφ = [φ, φ] + 2ξ, where [φ, φ] is the Nijenhuis tensor of φ [1]. An almost contact metric manifold such that η is closed and dΦ = 2η ∧Φ is called almost Kenmotsu manifold (see [3, 4]). Obviously, a normal almost Kenmotsu manifold is a Kenmotsu manifold. Also Kenmotsu manifolds can be characterized by (∇Xφ)Y = g(φX, Y)ξ − η(Y)φX, for any vector fields X, Y on M2n+1. For further details on Kenmotsu manifolds we refer the reader to go through the references ([5, 6]).

The Weyl tensor on an n-dimensional Riemannian manifold is defined as.

where R is the curvature tensor, S denotes the Ricci tensor, Q stands for Ricci operator and r is the scalar curvature.

A (0, 3)-Cotton tensor of a 3-dimensional Riemannian manifold (M3, g) is defined as (see [7])

(1.3)

where S is the Ricci tensor and r is the scalar curvature of M3. The Cotton tensor is skew-symmetric in first two indices and totally trace free. It is well known that for n ≥ 4, an n-dimensional Riemannian manifold is conformally flat if the Weyl tensor vanishes. For n = 3, the Weyl tensor always vanishes but the Cotton tensor does not vanish in general.

In 2008, Kicisel, Sarioğlu and Tekin [8] introduced the notion of Cotton flow as an analogy of the Ricci flow. The Cotton flow is based on the conformally invariant Cotton tensor and defined exclusively for 3-dimension as

where C is the (0, 2)-Cotton tensor of g. From the Cotton flow, they defined the notion of Cotton soliton as follows:

Definition 1.1.

A Cotton soliton is a metricgdefined on 3-dimensional smooth manifoldM3such that the following equation

(1.4)
holds for a constantσand a vector fieldV, called the potential vector field, whereLVdenotes the Lie derivative alongVandCis the (0, 2)-Cotton tensor defined by
(1.5)
in a local frame ofM3, whereg = det(gij),Cijkis the (0, 3)-Cotton tensor andϵis a tensor density.

In an orthonormal frame, ϵ123 = 1. Also exchange of any two indices will give rise to minus sign and it will be zero if there has two same indices. For example, ϵ231 = − ϵ213 and ϵ112 = ϵ122 = ϵ223 = 0. Cotton solitons are fixed points of the Cotton flow up to diffeomorphisms and rescaling. The Cotton soliton is said to be shrinking, steady or expanding according as σ is positive, zero or negative respectively. As far as we know, the Cotton soliton was studied by Chen [9] on certain almost contact metric manifold, precisely on almost coKähler 3-manifolds. Motivated by the study of Chen [9], we consider the notion of Cotton soliton on an almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifold and prove some related results.

Let (M3, φ, ξ, η, g) be a 3-dimensional almost Kenmotsu manifold. We denote by l = R(⋅, ξ)ξ, h=12Lξφ and h′ = h ° φ on M3, where R is the Riemannian curvature tensor. The tensor fields l and h are symmetric operators and satisfy the following relations ([3, 4]):

(2.1)
(2.2)
(2.3)
Definition 2.1.

[10] A 3-dimensional almost Kenmotsu manifold is called an almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifold if it satisfiesξh = 0.

Let U1 be the maximal open subset of a 3-dimensional almost Kenmotsu manifold M3 such that h ≠ 0 and U2 be the maximal open subset on which h = 0. Then U1U2 is an open and dense subset of M3. Then U1 is non-empty and there is a local orthonormal basis {e1 = ξ, e2 = e, e3 = φe} on U1 such that he = λe and hφe = − λφe for some positive function λ.

Lemma 2.2.

[11] OnU1,

wherea,bandcare smooth functions.

Since ∇ξh = 0 for an almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifold, then using Lemma 2.2 and (2.3), a direct calculation gives ξ(λ) = a = 0. Therefore, Lemma 2.2 can be rewritten for an almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifold as.

Lemma 2.3.

OnU1, the coefficients of the Riemannian connectionof an almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifold with respect to a local orthonormal basis {ξ, e, φe} is given by

wherebandcare smooth functions.

From Lemma 2.3, the Lie brackets can be calculated as follows:

(2.4)

In [12], Wang obtained the components of the Ricci operator Q for an almost Kenmotsu 3-manifold on U1 as follows:

where f = e(c) + φe(b) + b2 + c2 + 2 and σ(⋅) = − g(, ⋅). Now, we write the components of the Ricci operator Q for an almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifold as follows:

Lemma 2.4.

OnU1, the Ricci operator of an almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifold with respect to a local orthonormal basis {ξ, e, φe} is given by

wheref = e(c) + φe(b) + b2 + c2 + 2.

The scalar curvature r of an almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifold is given by

(2.5)

Using Lemma 2.4, we obtain

(2.6)

It is well known that an almost Kenmotsu 3-manifold is Kenmotsu if and only if h = 0. Thus a Kenmotsu metric always admits an almost Kenmotsu 3-h-metric structure. We now close this section by providing an example of a non-Kenmotsu almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifold.

Example 2.5.

[13] LetM3be a 3-dimensional non-unimodular Lie group with a left invariant local orthonormal frame {e1, e2, e3} satisfying

forα,βR. If eitherα ≠ 1 orβ ≠ 0, thenM3admits a non-Kenmotsu almost Kenmotsu 3-h-metric structure.

We now close this section by recalling an important result of Cho [14].

Theorem 2.6.

A non-Kenmotsu almost Kenmotsu 3-manifoldM3is locally symmetric if and only ifM3is locally isometric to the product spaceH2(4)×R.

In this section, we consider the notion of Cotton soliton within the framework of almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifolds. To study the notion of Cotton soliton, we need to compute the components of the (0, 2)-Cotton tensor. In this regard, we prove the following Lemma:

Lemma 3.1.

The components of the (0, 2)-Cotton tensorCwith respect to an orthonormal frame {ξ, e, φe} of a non-Kenmotsu almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifoldM3can be expressed as follows:

(3.1)
(3.2)
(3.3)
(3.4)
(3.5)
(3.6)
Proof.

The components of the metric tensor g with respect to an orthonormal frame {ξeφe} of a non-Kenmotsu almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifold M3 is given by

and hence   det(gij) = 1. Therefore, Eqn (1.5) reduces to
where Cijk = C(ei, ej, ek). Also, Cijk = − Cjik and Ciik = 0 for all i, j, k = 1, 2, 3. It can be easily obtained that (see [9])

Making use of (1.3), we get the following:

(3.7)
(3.8)
(3.9)
(3.10)
(3.11)
(3.12)

Using (2.6), Lemma 2.3 and ξ(λ) = 0, we now obtain the following:

(3.13)
(3.14)
(3.15)
(3.16)
(3.17)
(3.18)

We now complete the proof by substituting Eqs (3.13)-(3.18) in Eqs (3.7)-(3.12) respectively. □

Proposition 3.2.

If the Reeb vector field of a non-Kenmotsu almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifoldM3is an eigen vector of the Ricci operator, thenM3is locally isometric to a non-unimodular Lie group equipped with a left invariant non-Kenmotsu almost Kenmotsu structure.

Proof.

Since ξ is an eigen vector of Q, then Lemma 2.4 implies

(3.19)

It is well known that

From the preceding equation, we can write

(3.20)

Making use of (2.6), (3.19) and ξ(λ) = 0, we obtain the following:

(3.21)
(3.22)
(3.23)

Now, substituting X = ξ, e and φe in (3.20) and then using (3.21), (3.22) and (3.23) respectively, we obtain

(3.24)

Using (3.19) and ξ(λ) = 0, we get from (2.5)

(3.25)

Since λ is a positive function, then the second and third equations of (3.24) and (3.25) implies b = c = 0. From Lemma 2.4, we get f = 2. Also from (3.19), we get e(λ) = φe(λ) = 0 and therefore λ is a constant. Now, the Lie brackets given in (2.4) reduces to

Therefore, according to Milnor (Page 309, Lemma 4.10 [15]), M3 is locally isometric to a non-unimodular Lie group equipped with a left invariant non-Kenmotsu almost Kenmotsu structure. □

Combining Lemma 3.1 and Proposition 3.2, the components of the Cotton tensor described as:

Corollary 3.3.

If the Reeb vector field of a non-Kenmotsu almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifoldM3is an eigen vector of the Ricci operator, then the components of the (0, 2)-Cotton tensorCwith respect to an orthonormal frame {ξ, e, φe} onM3can be expressed as follows:

We first consider the Cotton soliton with potential vector field V pointwise collinear with the Reeb vector field. In this regard, we prove the following non-existing result.

Theorem 3.4.

On a non-Kenmotsu almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifold such that the Reeb vector field is an eigen vector of the Ricci operator, there exist no Cotton soliton with potential vector field pointwise collinear with the Reeb vector field.

Proof.

Suppose that the potential vector field V is pointwise collinear with the Reeb vector field ξ. Then there exist a non-zero smooth function α on M3 such that V = αξ. Now, substituting X = e and Y = φe in (1.4) and using Lemma 2.3 and Corollary 3.3, we get 2λα = 0. This gives either λ = 0 or α = 0. In either cases, we get a contradiction. This completes the proof. □

From Theorem 3.4 and Proposition 3.2, we have.

Corollary 3.5.

On a 3-dimensional non-unimodular Lie group equipped with a left invariant non-Kenmotsu almost Kenmotsu structure, there exist no Cotton soliton with potential vector field pointwise collinear with the Reeb vector field.

It is now quite tempting to consider the potential vector field V as orthogonal to the Reeb vector field. In this setting, we prove the following:

Theorem 3.6.

Let (M3, g) be a non-Kenmotsu almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifold such that the Reeb vector field is an eigen vector of the Ricci operator. Ifgis a Cotton soliton with potential vector field orthogonal to the Reeb vector field, thenM3is locally isometric toH2(4)×Rand the Cotton soliton is steady.

Proof.

For a non-Kenmotsu almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifold such that the Reeb vector field is an eigen vector of the Ricci operator, Proposition 3.2 gives b = c = 0, f = 2, λ = constant and r = constant. Since V is orthogonal to ξ, then there exist two smooth functions α1 and α2 on M3 such that V = α1e + α2φe. With the help of Lemma 2.3, we now obtain the components of LVg as follows:

(3.26)

We now use Corollary 3.3 and (3.26). Substituting X = Y = ξ in (1.4), we get σ = 0. This shows that the Cotton soliton is steady. Now, substitution of X = ξ, Y = e in (1.4) yields

(3.27)

Replacing X by ξ and Y by φe in (1.4), we get

(3.28)

Putting X = Y = e in (1.4), we obtain

(3.29)

Substitution of X = e and Y = φe in (1.4) yields

(3.30)

Putting X = Y = φe in (1.4), we infer

(3.31)

Since b = c = 0, the Lie brackets given in (2.4) reduces to

(3.32)

Since λ is a positive constant, then from (3.27) and (3.29), we obtain

Applying the first Lie bracket of (3.32) in the preceding equation, we get φe(α1) = e(α2). Hence, equation (3.30) implies φe(α1) = e(α2) = 0. Now, from (3.28), we get e(ξ(α2)) = − λe(α1). Also, we have ξ(e(α2)) = 0. Again, using these two in the first Lie bracket of (3.32) yields φe(α2) = e(α1). Applying (3.29) and (3.31) in the preceding relation and using the fact that λ is a positive function, we obtain λ = 1. Now, it is easy to check that ∇Q = 0. Notice that, a Riemannian 3-manifold is Ricci parallel if and only if it is locally symmetric. The rest of the proof follows from Theorem 2.6. □

As a combination of Proposition 3.2 and Theorem 3.6, we have the following:

Corollary 3.7.

Ifgis a Cotton soliton with potential vector field orthogonal to the Reeb vector field on a 3-dimensional non-unimodular Lie groupM3equipped with a left invariant non-Kenmotsu almost Kenmotsu structure, thenM3is locally isometric toH2(4)×Rand the Cotton soliton is steady.

Consider M=R3. Let us choose a local orthonormal frame {e1, e2, e3} in such a way that it satisfies the following:

We define the Riemannian metric g by

g(e1, e1) = g(e2, e2) = g(e3, e3) = 1 and g(ei, ej) = 0 for ij; i, j = 1, 2, 3.

Consider e1 = ξ. We define the 1-form η be by η(Z) = g(Z, e1) for any smooth vector field Z on M.

Let us define the (1, 1)-tensor fields φ and h by

Using the linearity of φ and g, we have

for any smooth vector field Z, U on M.

The Levi-Civita connection ∇ of the metric tensor g is given by Koszul’s formula:

Using the above Koszul’s formula, we now calculate the components of the Levi-Civita connection ∇ as follows:

Now, any vector field X on M can be expressed as X = c1e1 + c2e2c3e3 for some smooth functions c1, c2 and c3 on M. One can easily verify that the relation

holds for any smooth vector field X on M. Therefore, (M, φ, ξ, η, g) is an almost Kenmotsu 3-manifold.

Now it can be easily checked that (e1h)X=0 for any smooth vector field X on M. Hence, M is an almost Kenmotsu 3-h-manifold.

Here e1 = ξ, e2 = e and e3 = φe. Comparing the obtained components of eiej with Lemma 2.3, we get a = b = c = 0, λ = 1, f = 2 and r = − 6. Then from Lemma 2.4, we can see that ξ is an eigenvector of the Ricci operator Q.

Let V = αe2 + βe3, where α,βR. Then V is orthogonal to ξ. Now, the components of LVg can be obtained as follows:

With the help of equation (1.4), one can verify that g is a steady cotton soliton with potential vector field V = αe2 + αe3 for any real number α.

Also, one can check that ∇Q = 0 holds good (see page 5 [12]). Then ∇R = 0. Hence from Theorem 2.6, we can say that M is locally isometric to the product space H2(4)×R. This verifies our Theorem 3.6.

The authors gratefully acknowledge the valuable comments of the anonymous referees and express their sincere thanks to them. The preprint version of this article is available in https://arxiv.org/abs/2006.122 44. The author Dibakar Dey is thankful to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India (File no: 09/028(1010)/2017-EMR-1) for their assistance in the form of Senior Research Fellowship.

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