Rank Rigidity for CAT(0) spaces without 3-flats

Abstract

If a group $\Gamma$ acts geometrically on a CAT(0) space $X$ without 3-flats, then either $X$ contains a $\Gamma$-periodic geodesic which does not bound a flat half-plane, or else $X$ is a rank 2 Riemannian symmetric space, a 2-dimensional Euclidean building or non-trivially splits as a metric product. Consequently all such groups satisfy a strong form of the Tits Alternative.