Isometry types of frame bundles

Abstract

We consider the orthonormal frame bundle F(M) of a Riemannian manifold M. A construction of Sasaki defines a canonical Riemannian metric on F(M). We prove that for two closed Riemannian n-manifolds M and N, the frame bundles F(M) and F(N) are isometric if and only if M and N are isometric, except possibly in dimensions 3, 4, and 8. This answers a question of Benson Farb except in dimensions 3, 4, and 8.