A Finite Topological Type Theorem for Open Manifolds with Non-negative Ricci Curvature and Almost Maximal Local Rewinding Volume

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, we present finite topological type theorems for open manifolds with non-negative Ricci curvature, under almost maximal local rewinding volume. Unlike previous related research, our theorems remove the constraints of sectional curvature or conjugate radius, which were crucial additional assumptions on metric regularity in prior results. Notably, our settings do not necessarily satisfy a triangle comparison of Toponogov type. In fact, the method we adopt also extends to many previous related studies.