Cohomogeneity one 4-dimensional gradient Ricci solitons

Abstract

Simply-connected four-dimensional gradient Ricci solitons that are invariant under a compact cohomogeneity one group action have been studied extensively. However, the special case where the group is $SU(2)$ (the smallest possible example) has received comparatively little attention. The purpose of this article is to give a comprehensive study of simply-connected $SU(2)$-invariant expanding and shrinking cohomogeneity one gradient Ricci solitons. The first result is the construction of new 3-parameter families of complete $SU(2)$-invariant asymptotically conical expanding gradient Ricci solitons. New shrinking K\"ahler $U(2)$-invariant gradient Ricci solitons in dimension 4 with orbifold singularities are also constructed, leading to a classification of such metrics when the base space of the orbifold is a simply-connected smooth manifold. Finally, we highlight numerical evidence that all the compact cohomogeneity one shrinking gradient Ricci solitons are known.