On the topology of metric $f$-$K$-contact manifolds

Abstract

We observe that the class of metric $f$-$K$-contact manifolds, which naturally contains that of $K$-contact manifolds, is closed under forming mapping tori of automorphisms of the structure. We show that the de Rham cohomology of compact metric $f$-$K$-contact manifolds naturally splits off an exterior algebra, and relate the closed leaves of the characteristic foliation to its basic cohomology.