On the geometry of cohomogeneity one manifolds with positive curvature

This is a survey on cohomogeneity one manifolds with positive curvature. We discuss the known examples of this type and their geometry and the functions that describe the metric. We also describe the classification of cohomogeneity one manifolds that can admit a metric with positive curvature due to Grove-Wilking-Ziller. Two series of candidates arose in this classification for which it is not yet know if they admit positive curvature. The connection of these candidates to the Hitchin self dual Einstein orbifolds is discussed as well, including the curvature properties of the Hitchin metrics.Comment: 25 page

Examples of Riemannian Manifolds with non-negative sectional curvature

An updated version with a few corrections.Comment: 32 page

Positively curved homogeneous metrics on spheres

We examine homogeneous metrics on spheres and determine which ones have positive sectional curvature. The answer is subtle and surprisingly difficult to prove. In some cases we also determine their pinching constants. This completes the classification of all homogeneous metrics with positive curvature (apart from one special Aloff Wallach space where the set of homogeneous metrics is too large).Comment: 17 pages, 10 figure