We consider the problem of finding complete conformal metrics with prescribed curvature functions of the Einstein tensor and of more general modified Schouten tensors. To achieve this, we reveal an algebraic structure of a wide class of fully nonlinear equations. Our method is appropriate and delicate as shown by a topological obstruction. Finally, we discuss Hessian equations and Weingarten equations by confirming a key assumption.
We clarify how close a second order fully nonlinear equation can come to uniform ellipticity, through counting large eigenvalues of the linearized operator. This suggests an effective and novel way to understand the structure of fully nonlinear equations of elliptic and parabolic type. As applications, we solve a fully nonlinear version of the Loewner-Nirenberg problem and a noncompact complete version of fully nonlinear Yamabe problem. Our method is delicate as shown by a topological obstruction.
In this article we introduce local gauge conditions under which many curvature tensors appearing in conformal geometry, such as the Weyl, Cotton, Bach, and Fefferman-Graham obstruction tensors, become elliptic operators. The gauge conditions amount to fixing an $n$-harmonic coordinate system and normalizing the determinant of the metric. We also give corresponding elliptic regularity results and characterizations of local conformal flatness in low regularity settings.
On a manifold with boundary, we deform the metric conformally. This induces a deformation of the Schouten tensor. We fix the metric at the boundary and realize a prescribed value for the product of the eigenvalues of the Schouten tensor in the interior, provided that there exists a subsolution.
Let $(X, g^+)$ be an asymptotically hyperbolic manifold and $(M, [\hat{h}])$ its conformal infinity. Our primary aim in this paper is to introduce the prescribed fractional scalar curvature problem on $M$ and provide solutions under various geometric conditions on $X$ and $M$. We also obtain the existence results for the fractional Yamabe problem in the endpoint case, e.g., $n = 3$, $γ= 1/2$ and $M$ is non-umbilic, etc. Every solution we find turns out to be smooth on $M$.
We study the prescribed scalar curvature problem in a conformal class on orbifolds with isolated singularities. We prove a compactness theorem in dimension $4$, and an existence theorem which holds in dimensions $n \geq 4$. This problem is more subtle than the manifold case since the positive mass theorem does not hold for ALE metrics in general. We also determine the $\rm{U}(2)$-invariant Leray-Schauder degree for a family of negative-mass orbifolds found by LeBrun.
In this paper we prescribe a fourth order conformal invariant on the standard $n-$sphere, with $n\geq5$, and study the related fourth order elliptic equation. We first find some existence results in the perturbative case. After some blow up analysis we build a homotopy to pass from the perturbative case to the non-perturbative one under some flatness condition. Finally we state some existence results under the assumption of symmetry.
We consider the class of all conformal mappings from a compact Riemann surface into the threedimensional or fourdimensional Euclidean space. A sequence in this class with bounded Willmore functional is shown to have a sequence of conformal transformations of the target space, such that a subsequence of the transformed sequence converges. This implies that there exists a smooth conformal mapping, which minimizes the Willmore functional in this class. For this purpose we extend the quaternionic function theory of Pedit and Pinkall to square integrable Hopf fields. In particular, we proof the Plu…
We give sufficient and "almost" necessary conditions for the prescribed scalar curvature problems within the conformal class of a Riemannian metric $ g $ for both closed manifolds and compact manifolds with boundary, including the interesting cases $ \mathbb{S}^{n} $ or some quotient of $ \mathbb{S}^{n} $, in dimensions $ n \geqslant 3 $, provided that the first eigenvalues of conformal Laplacian (with appropriate boundary conditions if necessary) are positive. When the manifold is not some quotient of $ \mathbb{S}^{n} $, we show that, on one hand, any smooth function that is a positive consta…
This paper is concerned with the existence of conformal metrics of the disk with prescribed Gaussian and geodesic curvatures. Being more specific, given nonnegative smooth functions $K: \overline{\mathbb{D}} \to \mathbb{R}$ and $h: \partial \mathbb{D} \to \mathbb{R}$, we consider the problem of finding a conformal metric realizing $K$ and $h$ as Gaussian and geodesic curvatures, respectively. This is the natural analogue of the classical Nirenberg problem posed on the disk. As we shall see, both curvatures play a role in the existence of solutions. Indeed we are able to give existence results …
In this article, we first show that for all compact Riemannian manifolds with non-empty smooth boundary and dimension at least 3, there exists a metric, pointwise conformal to the original metric, with constant scalar curvature in the interior, and constant scalar curvature on the boundary by considering the boundary as a manifold of its own with dimension at least 2. We then show a series of prescribed scalar curvature results in the interior and on the boundary, with pointwise conformal deformation. These type of results is both an analogy and an extension of Kazdan and Warner's "Trichotomy …
In this paper, we consider the problem of existence and multiplicity of conformal metrics on a riemannian compact $4-$dimensional manifold $(M^4,g_0)$ with positive scalar curvature. We prove new exitence criterium which provides existence results for a dense subset of positive functions and generalizes Bahri-Coron and Chang-Gursky-Yang Euler-Hopf type criterium. Our argument gives estimates on the Morse index of the solutions and has the advantage to extend known existence results. Moreover it provides, for generic $K$ {\it Morse Inequalities at Infinity}, which give a lower bound on the numb…
We employ three different methods to prove the following result on prescribed scalar curvature plus mean curvature problem: Let $(M^n,g_0)$ be a $n$-dimensional smooth compact manifold with boundary, where $n \geq 3$, assume the conformal invariant $Y(M,\partial M)<0$. Given any negative smooth functions $f$ in $M$ and $h$ on $\partial M$, there exists a unique conformal metric of $g_0$ such that its scalar curvature equals $f$ and mean curvature curvature equals $h$. The first two methods are sub-super-solution method and subcritical approximation, and the third method is a geometric flow. In…
We consider the problem of finding a metric in a given conformal class with prescribed nonpositive scalar curvature and nonpositive boundary mean curvature on a compact manifold with boundary, and establish a necessary and sufficient condition in terms of a conformal invariant that measures the zero set of the target curvatures.
We prove the existence and uniqueness of graphs with prescribed mean curvature function in a large class of Riemannian manifolds which comprises spaces endowed with a conformal Killing vector field.
In this article we study a class of prescribed curvature problems on complete noncompact Riemannian manifolds. To be precise, we derive local $C^0$-estimate under an asymptotic condition which is in effect optimal, and prove the existence of complete conformal metrics with prescribed curvature functions. A key ingredient of our strategy is Aviles-McOwen's result or its fully nonlinear version on the existence of complete conformal metrics with prescribed curvature functions on manifolds with boundary.
We prove the existence of (branched) conformal immersions F: S^2 -> R^3 with mean curvature H > 0 arbitrarily prescribed up to a 3-dimensional affine indeterminacy. A similar result is proved for the space forms S^3, H^3 and partial results for surfaces of higher genus.
We prove the existence of smooth closed hypersurfaces of prescribed mean curvature homeomorphic to $S^n$ for small $n, n\le6$, provided there are barriers.
We prove a necessary and sufficient condition for an asymptotically Euclidean manifold to be conformally related to one with specified nonpositive scalar curvature: the zero set of the desired scalar curvature must have a positive Yamabe invariant, as defined in the article. We show additionally how the sign of the Yamabe invariant of a measurable set can be computed from the sign of certain generalized "weighted" eigenvalues of the conformal Laplacian. Using the prescribed scalar curvature result we give a characterization of the Yamabe classes of asymptotically Euclidean manifolds. We also s…
In this article, we give results of prescribing scalar and mean curvature functions for metrics either pointwise conformal or conformally equivalent to a Riemannian metric that is equipped on a compact manifold with boundary, with dimensions at least $ 3 $. The results are classified by the sign of the first eigenvalue of the conformal Laplacian. This leads to a "Trichotomy Theorem" in terms of both scalar and mean curvature functions, which is a full extension of the "Trichotomy Theorem" given by Kazdan and Warner. We also discuss prescribing Gauss and geodesic curvature problems on compact R…
Our principal goal is to study the Prescribed Curvature Tensor problem in locally conformally flat manifolds. The solution to this problem is given explicitly for the special cases of the tensor R, including a case where the metric g is complete on Rn. Similar problems are considered for locally conformally flat manifolds. As applications of these results we exhibit explicit examples of metrics g, conformal to g they are solutions for this problem.
We show that the manifold $(\mathbb{S}^2 \times \mathbb{S}^2) \operatorname{\#} (\mathbb{S}^2 \times \mathbb{S}^2)$ does not admit a non-constant non-injective uniformly quasiregular self-map. This answers a question of Martin, Mayer, and Peltonen, and provides the first example of a quasiregularly elliptic manifold which is not uniformly quasiregularly elliptic. To obtain the result, we introduce conformally formal manifolds, which are closed smooth $n$-manifolds $M$ admitting a measurable conformal structure $[g]$ for which the $(n/k)$-harmonic $k$-forms of the structure $[g]$ form an algebr…
Let $(M,g)$ be a two dimensional compact Riemannian manifold of genus $g(M)>1$. Let $f$ be a smooth function on $M$ such that $$f \ge 0, \quad f\not\equiv 0, \quad \min_M f = 0. $$ Let $p_1,\ldots,p_n$ be any set of points at which $f(p_i)=0$ and $D^2f(p_i)$ is non-singular. We prove that for all sufficiently small $λ>0$ there exists a family of "bubbling" conformal metrics $g_λ=e^{u_λ}g$ such that their Gauss curvature is given by the sign-changing function $K_{g_λ}=-f+λ^2$. Moreover, the family $u_λ$ satisfies $$u_λ(p_j) = -4\logλ-2\log \left (\frac 1{\sqrt{2}} \log \frac 1λ\right ) +O(1)$$ …
Motivated by recent progress on a spinorial analogue of the Yamabe problem in the geometric literature, we study a conformally invariant spinor field equation on the $m$-sphere, $m\geq2$. Via variational methods and the spinorial Weierstraß representation, we study the problem of prescribing mean curvature for the immersion $S^2\to\mathbb{R}^3$.
We study the solutions $u\in C^\infty(R^{2m})$ of the problem $(-Δ)^m u= Qe^{2mu}$, where $Q=\pm (2m-1)!$, and $V :=\int_{R^{2m}}e^{2mu}dx <\infty$, particularly when $m>1$. This corresponds to finding conformal metrics $g_u:=e^{2u}|dx|^2$ on $R^{2m}$ with constant Q-curvature $Q$ and finite volume $V$. Extending previous works of Chang-Chen, and Wei-Ye, we show that both the value $V$ and the asymptotic behavior of $u(x)$ as $|x|\to \infty$ can be simultaneously prescribed, under certain restrictions. When $Q=(2m-1)!$ we need to assume $V<vol(S^{2m})$, but surprisingly for $Q=-(2m-1)!$ the vo…
In this paper we prove classification results to elliptic fully nonlinear conformal equations on certain subdomains of the sphere with prescribed constant mean curvature on its boundary. Such subdomains are the hemisphere (or a geodesic ball on $\mathbb{S}^n$) of dimension $n\geq 2$ with prescribed constant mean curvature on its boundary, and annular domains with minimal boundary. Our results extend the classifications of Escobar in \cite{E0} when $n\geq 3$, and Hang-Wang in \cite{HaWa} and Jimenez in \cite{J} when $n=2$.
This paper is devoted to the existence of contact forms of prescribed Webster scalar curvature on a $3-$dimensional CR compact manifold locally conformally CR equivalent to the unit sphere $\mathbb{S}^{3}$ of $\mathbb{C}^{2}$. Due to Kazdan-Warner type obstructions, conditions on the function $H$ to be realized as a Webster scalar curvature have to be given. We prove new existence results based on a new type of Euler-Hopf type formula. Our argument gives an upper bound on the Morse index of the obtained solution. We also give a lower bound on the number of conformal contact forms having the sa…
This paper considers the existence of conformally compact Einstein metrics on 4-manifolds. A reasonably complete understanding is obtained for the existence of such metrics with prescribed conformal infinity, when the conformal infinity is of positive scalar curvature. We find in particular that general solvability in this class depends on the topology of the filling manifold. The obstruction to solvability for arbitrary boundary values is also identified. While most of the paper concerns dimension 4, some general results on the structure of the space of such metrics hold in all dimensions.
We solve the nonlinear Dirichlet problem (uniquely) for functions with prescribed asymptotic singularities at a finite number of points, and with arbitrary continuous boundary data, on a domain in euclidean space. The main results apply, in particular, to subequations with a Riesz characteristic $p \geq 2$. In this case it is shown that, without requiring uniform ellipticity, the Dirichlet problem can be solved uniquely for arbitrary continuous boundary data with singularities asymptotic to the Riesz kernel: $Θ_j K_p(x - x_j)$, where $K_p(x) = - {1\over|x|^{p-2}}$ for $p>2$ and $K_2(x) = \log …
Let $(M,g)$ be a compact Riemannian manifold on dimension $n \geq 4$ not conformally diffeomorphic to the sphere $S^n$. We prove that a smooth function $f$ on $M$ is a critical function for a metric $\tilde{g}$ conformal to $g$ if and only if there exists $x \in M$ such that $f(x)>0$.
We introduce a family of variational functionals for spinor fields on a compact Riemann surface $M$ that can be used to find close-to-conformal immersions of $M$ into $\mathbb{R}^3$ in a prescribed regular homotopy class. Numerical experiments indicate that, by taking suitable limits, minimization of these functionals can also yield piecewise smooth isometric immersions of a prescribed Riemannian metric on $M$.
We introduce a new perspective on the classical Nirenberg problem of understanding the possible Gauss curvatures of metrics on $S^{2}$ conformal to the round metric. A key tool is to employ the smooth Cheeger-Gromov compactness theorem to obtain general and essentially sharp a priori estimates for Gauss curvatures $K$ contained in naturally defined stable regions. We prove that in such stable regions, the map $u \rightarrow K_{g}$, $g = e^{2u}g_{+1}$ is a proper Fredholm map with well-defined degree on each component. This leads to a number of new existence and non-existence results. We also p…
In this paper, we investigate the problem of prescribing Webster scalar curvatures on compact pseudo-Hermitian manifolds. In terms of the method of upper and lower solutions and the perturbation theory of self-adjoint operators, we can describe some sets of Webster scalar curvature functions which can be realized through pointwise CR conformal deformations and CR conformally equivalent deformations respectively from a given pseudo-Hermitian structure.
We consider smooth bounded surfaces with a smooth boundary and a prescribed background metric g_0. We now consider all metrics g conformal to g_0 which have a prescribed volume M. We now minimize the first eigenvalue of the Laplace operator of g over the metrics conformal to g_0 and having the prescribed volume. We show that this problem is equivalent to the study of the Composite Membrane Problem, a free boundary problem studied earlier by the author and his collaborators in all dimensions. Thus complete answers, existence of the limit metric, regularity of the minimizing eigenfunction and va…
Let $(M, g)$ be a compact Riemannian manifold of dimension $N \geq 5$ and $Q_g$ be its $Q$ curvature. The prescribed $Q$ curvature problem is concerned with finding metric of constant $Q$ curvature in the conformal class of $g$. This amounts to finding a positive solution to \[ P_g (u)= c u^{\frac{N+4}{N-4}}, u>0 {on} M\] where $P_g$ is the Paneitz operator. We show that for dimensions $N \geq 25$, the set of all positive solutions to the prescribed $Q$ curvature problem is {\em non-compact}.
In this paper we study some fourth order elliptic equation involving the critical Sobolev exponent, related to the prescription of a fourth order conformal invariant on the standard sphere. We use a topological method to prove the existence of at least a solution when the function to be prescribed is close to a constant and a finite dimensional map associated to it has non-zero degree.
Conformal invariance plays a significant role in many areas of Physics, such as conformal field theory, renormalization theory, turbulence, general relativity. Naturally, it also plays an important role in geometry: theory of Riemannian surfaces, Weyl tensors, $Q$-curvature, Yang-Mills fields, etc... We shall be concerned with the study of conformal invariance in analysis. More precisely, we will focus on the study of nonlinear PDEs arising from conformally invariant two dimensional variational problems (e.g. harmonic maps, prescribed mean curvature surfaces, Willmore and Constrained conformal…
We study the prescribed scalar curvature problem, namely finding which function can be obtained as the scalar curvature of a metric in a given conformal class. We deal with the case of asymptotically hyperbolic manifolds and restrict ourselves to non positive prescribed scalar curvature. Following earlier results, we obtain a necessary and sufficient condition on the zero set of the prescribed scalar curvature so that the problem admits a (unique) solution.
The main purpose of this monograph is to give an elementary and self-contained account of the existence of asymptotically hyperbolic Einstein metrics with prescribed conformal infinities sufficiently close to that of a given asymptotically hyperbolic Einstein metric with nonpositive curvature. The proof is based on an elementary derivation of sharp Fredholm theorems for self-adjoint geometric linear elliptic operators on asymptotically hyperbolic manifolds.
The paper is an attempt to resolve the prescribed Chern scalar curvature problem. We look for solutions within the conformal class of a fixed Hermitian metric. We divide the problem in three cases, according to the sign of the Gauduchon degree, that we analyse separately. In the case where the Gauduchon degree is negative, we prove that every non-identically zero and non-positive function is the Chern scalar curvature of a unique metric conformal to the fixed one. Moreover, if there exists a balanced metric with zero Chern scalar curvature, we prove that every smooth function changing sign wit…
We succeed in writing 2-dimensional conformally invariant non-linear elliptic PDE (harmonic map equation, prescribed mean curvature equations...etc) in divergence form. This divergence free quantities generalize to target manifolds without symmetries the well known conservation laws for harmonic maps into homogeneous spaces. From this form we can recover, without the use of moving frame, all the classical regularity results known for 2-dimensional conformally invariant non-linear elliptic PDE . It enable us also to establish new results. In particular we solve a conjecture by E.Heinz asserting…
We discuss non-conformal harmonic surfaces in $R^3$ with prescribed ($\pm$)transforms, and we get a representation formula for non-conformal harmonic surfaces in $R^3$.
We prove Runge-type theorems and universality results for locally univalent holomorphic and meromorphic functions. Refining a result of M. Heins, we also show that there is a universal bounded locally univalent function on the unit disk. These results are used to prove that on any hyperbolic simply connected plane domain there exist universal conformal metrics with prescribed constant curvature.
On a closed Riemannian manifold $(M,g_0)$ of even dimension $n \geqslant 4$, the well-known prescribed $Q$-curvature problem asks whether or not there is a metric $g$ comformal to $g_0$ such that its $Q$-curvature, associated with the GJMS operator $\mathbf P_g$, is equal to a given function $f$. Letting $g = e^{2u}g_0$, this problem is equivalent to solving \[ \mathbf P_{g_0} u+Q_{g_0} = f e^{nu}, \] where $Q_{g_0}$ denotes the $Q$-curvature of $g_0$. The primary objective of the paper is to introduce the following negative gradient flow of the time dependent metric $g(t)$ conformal to $g_0$,…
