The initial value problem for cohomogeneity one Einstein metrics

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The PDE Ric(g) = λ · g for a Riemannian Einstein metric g on a smooth manifold M becomes an ODE if we require g to be invariant under a Lie group G acting properly on M with principal orbits of codimension one. A singular orbit of the G-action gives a singularity of this ODE. Generically, an equation with such type of singularity has no smooth solution at the singularity. However, in our case, the very geometric nature of the equation makes it solvable. More precisely, we obtain a smooth G-invariant Einstein metric (with any Einstein constant λ) in a tubular neighbourhood around a singular orbit Q ⊂ M for any prescribed G-invariant metric gQ and second fundamental form LQ on Q, provided that the following technical condition is satisfied (which is very often the case): the representations of the principal isotropy group on the tangent and the normal space of the singular orbit Q have no common sub-representations. This Einstein metric is not uniquely determined by the initial data gQ and LQ; in fact, one may prescribe initial derivatives of higher degree, and examples show that this degree can be arbitrarily high. The proof involves a blend of ODE techniques and representation theory of the principal and singular isotropy groups.