LAUSR

Abstract Let (M3, g) be an almost Kenmotsu 3-manifold such that the Reeb vector field is an eigenvector field of the Ricci operator. In this paper, we prove that if g represents a Ricci soliton whose potential vector field is orthogonal to the Reeb vector field, then M3 is locally isometric to either the hyperbolic space ℍ3(−1) or a non-unimodular Lie group equipped with a left invariant non-Kenmotsu almost Kenmotsu structure. In particular, when g represents a gradient Ricci soliton whose potential vector field is orthogonal to the Reeb vector field, then M3 is locally isometric to either ℍ3(−1) or ℍ2(−4) × ℝ.