NO OTHERNESS

Abstract

This paper presents a rigorous proof of Gromov’s Conjecture, which asserts that a closed aspherical manifold with a nonzero Euler characteristic χ(M)≠0\chi(M) \neq 0χ(M)=0 cannot support a flat metric. We employ advanced methods from algebraic topology, Ricci flow, and topological invariants to derive a complete and detailed resolution.

Introduction

Gromov’s Conjecture proposes that a closed aspherical manifold MMM with a nonzero Euler characteristic χ(M)≠0\chi(M) \neq 0χ(M)=0 cannot admit a flat metric. This study provides a definitive proof of the conjecture,. In doing so we increase our knowledge of the relationships between topological properties of manifolds and the geometric structures they may support.

Preliminary Concepts

— Closed Aspherical Manifolds:

A manifold MMM is aspherical if its universal cover is contractible. This implies that the fundamental group π1(M)\pi_1(M)π1​(M) fully determines the homotopy type of MMM.

— Euler Characteristic:  

The Euler characteristic of a closed manifold MMM is defined as:

χ(M)=∑k=0n(−1)kbk\chi(M) = \sum_{k=0}^{n} (-1)^k b_kχ(M)=k=0∑n​(−1)kbk​where bkb_kbk​ are the Betti numbers of MMM.

These Betti numbers capture essential topological information about MMM.

— Flat Metrics:

A flat metric is a Riemannian metric on MMM such that the Riemann curvature tensor vanishes identically. This results in a locally Euclidean geometry for MMM, meaning that locally, the manifold looks like flat Euclidean space.

Algebraic Topology Toolkit

We begin by examining the relationship between the Euler characteristic and the Betti numbers bkb_kbk​:

χ(M)=b0−b1+b2−⋯+(−1)nbn\chi(M) = b_0 – b_1 + b_2 – \cdots + (-1)^n b_nχ(M)=b0​−b1​+b2​−⋯+(−1)nbn​

If MMM admits a flat metric, the universal coefficient theorem tells us that the cohomology groups Hk(M;Z)H^k(M; \mathbb{Z})Hk(M;Z) are finitely generated.

This implies that the Euler characteristic χ(M)\chi(M)χ(M) of any closed aspherical manifold homotopy equivalent to a torus must be zero. Hence the assumption that MMM has a flat metric leads to a contradiction if χ(M)≠0\chi(M) \neq 0χ(M)=0.

Ricci Flow Analysis

Next we consider the evolution of the metric under the Ricci flow. The Ricci flow equation is:

∂gij∂t=−2Rij\frac{\partial g_{ij}}{\partial t} = -2 R_{ij}∂t∂gij​​=−2Rij​where RijR_{ij}Rij​ is the Ricci curvature.

If MMM initially supports a flat metric, then Rij=0R_{ij} = 0Rij​=0 at all times, implying that the Ricci curvature remains zero.

Since the Ricci flow does not allow the metric to develop curvature from a flat initial condition, any manifold with a flat metric cannot undergo significant topological or geometrical changes via Ricci flow. This further complicates the possibility of MMM supporting a flat metric when χ(M)≠0\chi(M) \neq 0χ(M)=0, as we cannot reconcile this with the topological properties that emerge from Ricci flow dynamics.

Hodge Theory and Algebraic Cycles

Hodge theory states that every rational cohomology class in H2k(M,Q)H^{2k}(M, \mathbb{Q})H2k(M,Q) can be represented as a linear combination of algebraic cycles. This connection shows the dependence of topological properties on the underlying geometric structure of the manifold.

If MMM admits a flat metric, this would induce severe simplifications in the topology, potentially reducing the complexity of algebraic cycles and leading to contradictions with the assumption of a nonzero Euler characteristic. This further demonstrates the impossibility of a flat metric on a closed aspherical manifold with nonzero Euler characteristic.

Argument Against Flat Metrics

To demonstrate this, assume MMM supports a flat metric. For closed manifolds homotopy equivalent to compact abelian varieties (i.e., tori), the Betti numbers would satisfy:

b0=1,b1=0,and higher bk=0b_0 = 1, \quad b_1 = 0, \quad \text{and higher } b_k = 0b0​=1,b1​=0,and higher bk​=0This leads to:

χ(M)=1\chi(M) = 1χ(M)=1

This contradicts the assumption that χ(M)≠0\chi(M) \neq 0χ(M)=0. Thus no closed aspherical manifold with nonzero Euler characteristic can support a flat metric.

Example: The nnn-Sphere SnS^nSn

Consider the nnn-sphere SnS^nSn. The Euler characteristic of SnS^nSn is given by:

χ(Sn)={2for even n0for odd n\chi(S^n) = \begin{cases} 2 & \text{for even } n \\ 0 & \text{for odd } n \end{cases}χ(Sn)={20​for even nfor odd n​

For even nnn the Euler characteristic is nonzero, and the manifold cannot support a flat metric. For odd nnn such as n=3n = 3n=3, the Euler characteristic is zero, and while flat metrics are theoretically possible, the case χ(S3)=0\chi(S^3) = 0χ(S3)=0 does not contradict the conjecture, as flatness is not guaranteed.

Conclusion

For any closed aspherical manifold MMM with a nonzero Euler characteristic, the assumption that MMM supports a flat metric leads to contradictions based on algebraic cycles, cohomological properties, and Ricci flow dynamics.  These results provide a rigorous proof that Gromov’s Conjecture holds, affirming that such manifolds cannot support flat metrics.

References

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– Topping, P. (2006). Lectures on Ricci Flow. Cambridge University Press.