An Obata-type theorem on a three-dimensional CR manifold

Abstract: We prove a CR version of the Obata's result for the first eigenvalue of the sub-Laplacian in the setting of a compact strictly pseudoconvex pseudohermitian three dimensional manifold with non-negative CR-Panietz operator which satisfies a Lichnerowicz type condition. We show that if the first positive eigenvalue of the sub-Laplacian takes the smallest possible value then, up to a homothety of the pseudohermitian structure, the manifold is the standard Sasakian three dimensional unit sphere.