In this paper we provide a detailed proof of the second variation formula, essentially due to Richard Hamilton, Tom Ilmanen and the first author, for Perelman’s ν-entropy. In particular, we correct an error in the stability operator stated in Theorem 6.3 of [2]. Moreover, we obtain a necessary condition for linearly stable shrinkers in terms of the least eigenvalue and its multiplicity of certain Lichnerowicz type operator associated to the second variation.

In this paper, we classify n-dimensional ($n\ge 4$) complete Bach-flat gradient shrinking Ricci solitons. More precisely, we prove that any 4-dimensional Bach-flat gradient shrinking Ricci soliton is either Einstein, or locally conformally flat hence a finite quotient of the Gaussian shrinking soliton R^4 or the round cylinder S^3 x R. More generally, for $n\ge 5$, a Bach-flat gradient shrinking Ricci soliton is either Einstein, or a finite quotient of the Gaussian shrinking soliton $R^n$ or the product $N^{n-1}xR$, where $N^{n-1}$ is Einstein.

We study the Kahler-Ricci flow on a class of projective bundles over a compact Kahler-Einstein manifold. Assuming the initial Kahler metric admits a U(1)-invariant momentum profile, we give a criterion, characterized by the triple (Σ,L,[ω0]), under which the P1-fiber collapses along the Kahler-Ricci flow and the projective bundle converges to Σ in the Gromov-Hausdorff sense. Furthermore, the Kahler-Ricci flow must have Type I singularity and is of (Cn ×P1)-type. This generalizes and extends part of Song-Weinkove’s work on Hirzebruch surfaces.

We show that expanding Kahler-Ricci solitons which have positive holomorphic bisectional curvature and are C^2-asymptotic to a conical Kahler manifold at infinity must be the U(n)-rotationally symmetric expand solitons constructed by Cao.

We study the collapsing behavior of the Kähler–Ricci flow on a compact Kähler manifold X admitting a holomorphic submersion inherited from its canonical bundle. We show that the flow metric degenerates at exactly the rate of e^{-t} as predicted by the cohomology information, and so the fibres collapse at the optimal rate. Consequently, it leads to some analytic and geometric extensions to the regular case of works by J. Song and G. Tian. Its applicability to general Calabi–Yau fibrations will also be discussed in local settings.