Perelman-type no breather theorem for noncompact Ricci flows

Abstract

In this paper, we first show that a complete shrinking breather with Ricci curvature bounded from below must be a shrinking gradient Ricci soliton. This result has several applications. First, we can classify all complete $3$-dimensional shrinking breathers. Second, we can show that every complete shrinking Ricci soliton with Ricci curvature bounded from below must be gradient -- a generalization of Naber's result. Furthermore, we develop a general condition for the existence of the asymptotic shrinking gradient Ricci soliton, which hopefully will contribute to the study of ancient solutions.