Metrics with non-negative Ricci curvature on convex three-manifolds

Haotian Wu (Sydney)

Abstract

We prove that the space of smooth Riemannian metrics on the three-ball with non-negative Ricci curvature and strictly convex boundary is path-connected; and, moreover, that the associated moduli space (i.e., modulo orientation-preserving diffeomorphisms of the three-ball) is contractible. As an application, using results of Maximo, Nunes, and Smith (2013), we show the existence of properly embedded free boundary minimal annulus on any three-ball with non-negative Ricci curvature and strictly convex boundary. This is joint work with Antonio Ache and Davi Maximo.