Rigidity of $SU_n$-type symmetric spaces

Abstract: We prove that the bi-invariant Einstein metric on $SU_{2n+1}$ is isolated in the moduli space of Einstein metrics, even though it admits infinitesimal deformations. This gives a non-K\"ahler, non-product example of this phenomenon adding to the famous example of $\mathbb{CP}^{2n}\times\mathbb{CP}^{1}$ found by Koiso. We apply our methods to derive similar solitonic rigidity results for the K\"ahler--Einstein metrics on `odd' Grassmannians. We also make explicit a connection between non-integrable deformations and the dynamical instability of metrics under Ricci flow.