Sphere theorems and eigenvalue pinching without positive Ricci curvature assumption

Considering the almost rigidity of the Obata theorem, we generalize Petersen and Aubry's sphere theorem about eigenvalue pinching without assuming the positivity of Ricci curvature, only assuming $Ric\geq-Kg$ and $diam\leq D$ for some positive constants $K>0$ and $D>0$.