Compactification and maximal diameter theorem for noncompact manifolds with radial curvature bounded below

Abstract.

Let M be a complete open n-manifold with a base point p, at which the radial sectional curvature along every minimizing geodesic emanating from p is bounded below by the radial curvature function of a model surface. We discuss the maximal diameter theorem for the compactification of M by attaching the ideal boundary. Under certain conditions we prove that p becomes a pole and that M is isometric to the n-model.