Category Archives: Elliptic PDE

32519989

Non-Holder continuous solution

April 17, 2019 – 8:36 pm

Consider the following elliptic equation on \mathbb{R}^2

\displaystyle \partial_{x_i}\left(\frac{1}{r^2(\log r)^2}\partial_{x_j}u\right)=0,\quad r^2=x_1^2+x_2^2<1

It has a solution u=(\log r^{-1})^{-1} which is not holder continuous around origin. Note that the above equation is not uniformly elliptic.

See the paper, Trudinger, on the regularity of generalized solutions of linear, non-unformly elliptic equations, 1970.

Another example is w(x_1,\cdots, x_n)=|x_1|\log^2\frac{1}{|x_1|} and the function u(x_1,\cdots, x_n)=\frac{\text{sign } x_1}{\log (1/|x_1|)} satisfy the elliptic equation \partial_i(w(x)\partial_j u)=0 in \mathbb{R}^n. This equation is degenerate elliptic. But w is not an A_2 weight.

Check the paper Fabes Kenig and Serapioni, the local regularity of solutions of degenerate elliptic equations. 1982.

By Sun's World | Comments (0)

Upper half plane and disc

April 16, 2019 – 7:50 pm

Suppose {\mathbb{R}^{n+1}_+=\{(y,t)|y\in \mathbb{R}^n,t>0\}} is the upper half plane. Define the map {\pi: \mathbb{R}^{n+1}_+=\{(y,t)\}\rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{n+1}=\{(x,s)\}} by the following 

\displaystyle x=\frac{y}{|y|^2+(t+1)^2}

\displaystyle s=\frac{t+1}{|y|^2+(t+1)^2}-1

One can see that {\pi} maps {\mathbb{R}_+^n} onto the open ball {B=B_{\frac12}((0,-\frac12))\subset \mathbb{R}^{n+1}}. It is easy to verify that {\pi^{-1}} looks like 

\displaystyle y=\frac{x}{|x|^2+(s+1)^2}

\displaystyle t=\frac{s+1}{|x|^2+(s+1)^2}-1

Upper half plane and disc

We want to pull the metric of {\mathbb{R}^{n+1}_+} to {B}, that is {(\pi^{-1})^*(dy^2+dt^2)}. Denote {A=|x|^2+(s+1)^2}. We have 

\displaystyle (\pi^{-1})^*dy_i=A^{-1}dx_i-A^{-2}x_idA

\displaystyle (\pi^{-1})^*dt=A^{-1}ds-A^{-2}(s+1)dA

\displaystyle (\pi^{-1})^*(dy^2+dt^2)=A^{-2}(dx^2+ds^2)

Therefore, {(\pi^{-1})^*(dy^2+dt^2)} is conformal to {dx^2+ds^2}. 

Next, for some {\alpha\geq 0}, we want to pull the solution {u} of 

\displaystyle -\text{div}(t^\alpha \nabla u)=\alpha(n+\alpha-1)t^{\alpha-1}u^{\frac{n+\alpha+1}{n+\alpha-1}}

to {B}. That is defining {\psi(x,s)=A^{-\frac{n+\alpha-1}{2}}u} on {B}. We shall derive the equation {\psi} satisfy on {B}. Note that the equation means 

\displaystyle \Delta u+\frac{\alpha}{t}\partial_t u=-\alpha(n+\alpha-1)\frac{1}{t}u^{\frac{n+\alpha+1}{n+\alpha-1}}.

Let us use the following notations 

\displaystyle \beta=n+\alpha-1.

It follows from the covariant property of conformal laplacian that for any {u=u(y,t)}, 

\displaystyle \Delta_{(y,t)}u=A^{\frac{n+3}{2}}\Delta_{(x,s)}(A^{-\frac{n-1}{2}}u).

Note that {A^{-\frac{n-1}{2}}u=A^{\frac{\alpha}{2}}\psi}. We turn to calculate 

\displaystyle \Delta_{(x,t)}(A^{\frac{\alpha}{2}}\psi)=(\Delta A^{\frac{\alpha}{2}})\psi+A^{\frac{\alpha}{2}}\Delta\psi+2\nabla A^{\frac{\alpha}{2}}\nabla \psi.

It is not hard to see 

\displaystyle \Delta A^{\frac{\alpha}{2}}=\alpha\beta A^{\frac{\alpha}{2}-1},\quad 2\nabla A^{\frac{\alpha}{2}}\nabla \psi=2\alpha A^{\frac{\alpha}{2}-1}\nabla\psi\cdot(x,s+1).

Therefore 

\displaystyle \Delta_{(y,t)}u=A^{\frac{n+3}{2}}\Delta_{(x,s)}(A^{\frac{\alpha}{2}}\psi)=A^{\frac{\beta+4}{2}}\Delta\psi+2\alpha A^{\frac{\beta+2}{2}}\nabla \psi\cdot(x,s+1)+\alpha\beta A^{\frac{\beta+2}{2}}\psi.

Next, to handle the term {\partial_t u}, applying {\partial_t A=-2(1+t)A^{2}=-2(1+s)A^{3}}, 

\displaystyle \partial_t u=\partial_t(A^{\frac{\beta}{2}}\psi)=-\beta(1+t)A^{\frac{\beta+2}{2}}\psi+A^{\frac{\beta}{2}}\partial_x \psi[-2y(1+t)A^2]+

\displaystyle A^{\frac{\beta}{2}}\partial_s\psi[A-2(1+t)^2A^2].

That is 

\displaystyle \partial_t u=A^{\frac{\beta}{2}}(1+s)[-\beta\psi-2x\partial_x\psi-2(1+s)\partial_s\psi]+A^{\frac{\beta+2}{2}}\partial_s\psi

\displaystyle =-A^{\frac{\beta}{2}}(1+s)[\beta\psi+2\nabla\psi\cdot(x,s+\frac12)]+A^{\frac{\beta}{2}}[A-(1+s)]\partial_s\psi.

It follows from the transformation formula that 

\displaystyle \frac{\alpha}{t}\partial_t u=\frac{\alpha A}{s+1-A}\partial_t u

To summarize the above calculation, one the one hand, 

\displaystyle \Delta u+\frac{\alpha}{t}\partial_t u=A^{\frac{\beta+4}{2}}\Delta\psi-\frac{2\alpha}{s+1-A}A^{\frac{\beta+4}{2}}\nabla\psi\cdot(x,s+\frac12)-\frac{\alpha\beta}{s+1-A}A^\frac{\beta+4}{2}\psi

on the other hand 

\displaystyle -\alpha(n+\alpha-1)\frac{1}{t}u^{\frac{n+\alpha+1}{n+\alpha-1}}=-\alpha\beta\frac{A}{s+1-A}A^{\frac{n+\alpha+1}{2}}\psi^{\frac{n+\alpha+1}{n+\alpha-1}}.

Then we get the equation of {\psi} 

\displaystyle \Delta \psi-\frac{2\alpha \nabla\psi\cdot(x,s+\frac12)}{s+1-A}=\alpha\beta\frac{\psi-\psi^{\frac{n+\alpha+1}{n+\alpha-1}}}{s+1-A}.

Notice that {s+1-A=\frac14-r^2} where {r=\sqrt{|x|^2+(s+\frac12)^2}} is the distance of {(x,s)} to the center {(0,-\frac12)} of the the ball {B}. The equation that {\psi} satisfies is rotationally symmetric with respect to the center of {B}. 

By Sun's World | Also posted in Riemannian Geo | Tagged | Comments (0)

Green’s function and parametrix

March 19, 2019 – 7:35 pm

Suppose {(M^n,g)} is a Riemannian manifold without boundary with {n\geq 2}. Consider the Beltrami-Laplacian on {M}, 

\displaystyle \Delta_g f= |g|^{-\frac{1}{2}}\partial_i[|g|^{\frac12}g^{ij}\partial_jf]

We want to find the Green’s function {G} for {\Delta}, namely 

\displaystyle \Delta^{dist}_{g,y} G(x,y)=\delta_x(y)

in distribution sense, or equivalently for any {\psi,\phi\in C^2(M)}, 

\displaystyle \phi(x)=\int_{M}G(x,y)\Delta_g \phi(y)dv_y.

\displaystyle \psi(y)=\Delta_{g,y}\int_M G(x,y)\psi(x)dv_x

Moreover {\psi\rightarrow \int_M G\psi dv} looks like the inverse operator of {\Delta_g}. Of course such {G} would only be unique modulo some constants.

To do that, we know on {(\mathbb{R}^n,|dx|^2)}, the Green function is 

\displaystyle K(x,y)=\begin{cases}\frac{1}{n(2-n)\omega_n}|x-y|^{2-n}& n>2\\\frac{1}{2\pi}\log|x-y|,&n=2.\end{cases}

In a general Riemannian manifold, {G} should look like {K} more or less. 

Suppose {M} has injectivity radius {\delta} and {\eta} is a smooth radial cut off function on {\mathbb{R}^n} whose support lies in {B_\delta(0)} and {\eta=1} in {B_{\delta/2}(0)} . Then {K(x,y)\eta(|x-y|)} is well defined on {M} through local coordinate patches, which we still deonte as {K}. Easy computation shows 

\displaystyle |\Delta_{g,y}K(x,y)|\leq C|x-y|^{2-n}\in L^1(M).

Green’s formula reads 

\displaystyle \psi(y)=\int_M K(x,y)\Delta \psi(y)dv_y-\int_M\Delta_yK(x,y)\psi(y)dv_y

for all {\psi\in C^2(M)}. This actually means 

\displaystyle \Delta_{g,y}^{dist} K(x,y)=\Delta_{g,y}K(x,y)+\delta_x(y)

and 

\displaystyle \int_M \Delta_{g,y}K(x,y)dv_y=-1.

After changing the order of integration in the Green’s formula, we could establish that 

\displaystyle \phi(y)=\Delta_{g,y}\int_M K(x,y)\phi(x)dv_x-\int_M \Delta_{g,y}K(x,y)\phi(x)dv_x

for any {\phi\in C^2(M)}. One can compare this with the equation {G} satisfy. Denote {\Gamma_1=\Delta_{g,y}K(x,y)\in L^1}. Define two operators 

\displaystyle Q\phi(y)=\int_M K(x,y)\phi(x)dv_x

\displaystyle R\phi(y)=\int_{M}\Gamma_1(x,y)\phi(x)dv_x

Also denote {\Gamma_{k+1}=R\Gamma_k}. Then Green’s formula means 

\displaystyle Q\Delta_g=\Delta_g Q=I-R

To find the Green’s function, it is equivalent to find the inverse operator of {\Delta_g}. One can apply the idea of parametrix, which says the inverse operator can be constructed by 

\displaystyle (I-R)^{-1}Q=Q+RQ+R^2Q+\cdots

Therefore if we define {\Gamma_k=} 

\displaystyle G(x,y)=K(x,y)+\sum \int_{M}\Gamma_k(x,z) K(z,y)dv_z+remainder

By Sun's World | Also posted in PDE | Tagged | Comments (0)

Some calculation of sigma2 II

January 29, 2019 – 3:39 pm

We want find the critical metric of the following functional restricted to the space of conformal metrics of unit volume 

\displaystyle I(g)=\frac{n-4}{2}t\int_M J^2_gd\mu_g+4\int_M\sigma_2(A_g)d\mu_g

Here {(M^n,g)} is a Riemannian metric with {n\geq 5}, {A} is the Schouten tensor and {J} is {tr_gA}.

Now let us differentiate the two terms respectively, suppose {g(s)=(1+s\psi)^{\frac{4}{n-4}}g=u(s)^{\frac{4}{n-2}}g}. From conformal change property of scalar curvature, we get 

\displaystyle J_{g(s)}=u(s)^{-\frac{n+2}{n-2}}\left(-\frac{2}{n-2}\Delta_{g}u(s)+Ju(s)\right)

\displaystyle \dot J=-\frac{2}{n-2}\Delta_g\dot u-\frac{4}{n-2}J\dot u

Then 

\displaystyle \frac{d}{ds}|_{t=0}\int_{M}J_{g(s)}^2d\mu_{g(s)}=\int_{M}2J\dot{J}+\frac{2n}{n-2}J^2\dot ud\mu

\displaystyle =\int_M -\frac{4}{n-2}J\Delta \dot u+\frac{2(n-4)}{n-2}J^2\dot ud\mu

\displaystyle =\int_M\left(-\frac{4}{n-4}\Delta J+2J^2\right)\psi d\mu

where we have used the fact {\dot u(0)=\frac{n-2}{n-4}\psi}. Next, it is easy to know 

\displaystyle \frac{d}{ds}|_{t=0}\int_M \sigma_2(A_{g(s)})d\mu_{g(s)}=2\int_{M}\sigma_2(A)\psi d\muSo 

\displaystyle I'(g)\psi=2t\int_{M}\left(-\Delta J+\frac{n-4}{2}J\right)\psi d\mu_g+8\int_{M}\sigma_2(A)\psi d\mu_g

Now assume {g(s)} keep the unit volume infinitesimally, that is {\int_M \psi d\mu=0}, then {I'(g)=0} under this constraint means 

\displaystyle t\left(-\Delta J+\frac{n-4}{2}J\right)+4\sigma_2(A)=const.

Remark: M.J. Gursky, F. Hang, Y.-J. Lin, Riemannian Manifolds with Positive Yamabe Invariant and Paneitz Operator, Int. Math. Res. Not.

By Sun's World | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Concavity maximum principle

January 11, 2019 – 6:34 pm

Let u\in C^2(\Omega)\cap C(\bar{\Omega}) satisfy the elliptic equation

\displaystyle Lu=a^{ij}(Du)u_{ij}-b(x,u,Du)=0\quad \text{in }\Omega

Assume b is jointly concave with respect to (x,u) and

\displaystyle \frac{\partial b}{\partial u}\geq 0

Then

\mathcal{C}(y_1,y_3,\lambda)=u(\lambda y_3+(1-\lambda)y_1)-\lambda u(y_3)-(1-\lambda)u(y_1)

can not achieve positive maximum in the interior of \Omega\times \Omega.

See the paper Korevaar 1983

By Sun's World | Also posted in PDE | Tagged | Comments (0)

Some identities related to mean curvature of order m

September 1, 2018 – 6:22 pm

For any {n\times n} (not necessarily symmetric) matrix {\mathcal{A}}, we let {[\mathcal{A}]_m} denote the sum of its {m\times m} principle minors. For any hypersurface which is a graph of {u\in C^2(\Omega)}, where {\Omega\subset \mathbb{R}^n}. We have its downward unit normal is

\displaystyle (\nu,\nu_{n+1})=\left(\frac{Du}{\sqrt{1+|Du|^2}},\frac{-1}{\sqrt{1+|Du|^2}}\right).

The principle curvatures are taken from the eigenvalues of the Jacobian matrix {[D\nu]}. One can define its {m} mean curvature using the notation of above

\displaystyle H_m=\sum_{i_1<\cdots<i_m}\kappa_{i_1}\cdots\kappa_{i_m}=[D\nu]_m

Now let us consider general matrix {\mathcal{A}},

\displaystyle A_m=[\mathcal{A}]_m=\frac{1}{m!}\sum \delta\binom{i_1,\cdots,i_m}{j_1,\cdots,j_m}a_{i_1j_1}\cdots a_{i_mj_m}

where {\delta} is the generalized Kronecker delta.

\displaystyle \delta\binom{i_1 \dots i_p }{j_1 \dots j_p} = \begin{cases} +1 & \quad \text{if } i_1 \dots i_p \text{ are distinct and an even permutation of } j_1 \dots j_p \\ -1 & \quad \text{if } i_1 \dots i_p \text{ are distinct and an odd permutation of } j_1 \dots j_p \\ \;\;0 & \quad \text{in all other cases}.\end{cases}

Then we define the Newton tensor

\displaystyle T^{ij}_m=\frac{\partial A_m}{\partial a_{ij}}=\frac{1}{(m-1)!}\sum\delta\binom{i,i_2 \dots i_m }{j,j_2 \dots j_m}a_{i_2j_2}\cdots a_{i_m j_m}.

For any vector field {X} on {\mathbb{R}^n}, {DX} is a matrix, where {D=(D_{1},\cdots,D_n)} and {|X|\neq 0}, denote {\tilde X=X/|X|}, we have

\displaystyle (m-1)!T^{ij}_m(DX)X_iX_j=\sum\delta\binom{i,i_2 \dots i_m }{j,j_2 \dots j_m}X_iX_j[D_{i_2}X_{j_2}]\cdots [D_{i_m}X_{j_m}].

Since for any {1\leq p,k,l\leq n}

\displaystyle D_k\tilde X_l=\frac{D_kX_{l}}{|X|}-\frac{\sum_{p=1}^nX_pD_kX_pX_l}{|X|^3}

\displaystyle \sum_{i,j,i_2,j_2}\delta\binom{i,i_2 \dots i_m }{j,j_2 \dots j_m}X_iX_jX_pX_{j_2}D_{i_2}X_p=0

because \delta is skew-symmetric in j,j_2. Then

\displaystyle (m-1)!T^{ij}_m(DX)X_iX_j=|X|^{m-1}\sum\delta\binom{i,i_2 \dots i_m }{j,j_2 \dots j_m}X_iX_j[D_{i_2}\tilde X_{j_2}]\cdots [D_{i_m}\tilde X_{j_m}].

=(m-1)!|X|^{m-1}T_m^{ij}(D\tilde X)X_iX_j=(m-1)!|X|^{m+1}T_m^{ij}(D\tilde X)\tilde X_i\tilde X_j.

Applying the formula (T^{ij}_m(\mathcal{A}))=[\mathcal{A}]_{m-1}I-T_{m-1}(\mathcal{A})\cdot \mathcal{A}(Check [1] Propsition 1.2) and (D\tilde X)\tilde X=0, we get

T^{ij}_m(DX)X_iX_j=|X|^{m+1}[D\tilde X]_{m-1}

It follows from the result of Reilly, Remark 2.3(a), that

\displaystyle mA_m[DX]=D_i[T^{ij}_mX_j]

Suppose {X} is a vector field normal to {\partial \Omega}, then

\displaystyle m\int_\Omega [DX]_m=\int_{\partial \Omega} T^{ij}_m X_j\gamma_i=\int_{\partial \Omega}(X\cdot \gamma)^m[D\gamma]_{m-1}=\int_{\partial \Omega} (X\cdot \gamma)^m H_{m-1}(\partial \Omega)

where {\gamma} is the outer ward unit normal to {\partial \Omega}.

Remark: [1] R.C. Reilly, On the Hessian of a function and the curvatures of its graph., Michigan Math. J. 20 (1974) 373–383. doi:10.1307/mmj/1029001155.

[2] N. Trudinger, Apriori bounds for graphs with prescribed curvature.

 

We probably have to assume DX is a symmetric matrix in order to use the formula of Reilly. Not sure about this.

By Sun's World | Tagged | Comments (0)

Bach flat four dimensional manifold and sigma2 functional

October 5, 2017 – 12:25 am

We want to find the necessary condition of being the critical points of {\int\sigma_2} on four dimensional manifold.

1. Preliminary

Suppose {(M^n,g)} is a Riemannian manifold with {n=4}. {P_g} is the Schouten tensor

\displaystyle P_g=\frac{1}{n-2}\left(Ric-\frac{R}{2(n-1)}g\right)

and denote {J=\text{\,Tr\,} P_g}. Define

\displaystyle \sigma_2(g)=\frac{1}{2}[(\text{\,Tr\,} P_g)^2-|P_g|_g^2]

\displaystyle I_2(g)=\int_M \sigma_2(g)d\mu_g

where {|P|_g^2=\langle P,P\rangle_g}. It is well known that {I_2(g)} is conformally invariant.

Suppose {g(t)=g+th} where {h} is a symmetric 2-tensor. We want to calculate the first derivative of {I_2(g(t))} at {t=0}. To that end, let us list some basic facts (see the book of Toppings). Firstly denote {(\delta h)_j=-\nabla^i{h_{ij}}} the divergence operator and

\displaystyle G(h)=h-\frac{1}{2}(\text{\,Tr\,} h) g

\displaystyle (\Delta_L h)_{ij}=(\Delta h)_{ij}-h_{ik}Ric_{jl}g^{kl}-h_{jk}Ric_{il}g^{kl}+2R_{ikjl}h^{kl}

where {\Delta_L} is the Lichnerowicz Laplacian. Then the first variation of Ricci curvature and scalar curvature are

\displaystyle \dot{R}=\delta^2h-\Delta(\text{\,Tr\,} h)-\langle h,Ric\rangle \ \ \ \ \ (1)

\displaystyle \dot{Ric}=-\frac{1}{2}\Delta_Lh-\frac{1}{2}L_{(\delta G(h))^\sharp}g=-\frac{1}{2}\Delta_Lh-\frac{1}{2}L_{(\delta h)^\sharp}g-\frac{1}{2}Hess(\text{\,Tr\,} h)

\displaystyle =-\frac{1}{2}\Delta_Lh-d(\delta h)-\frac{1}{2}Hess(\text{\,Tr\,} h)

where we were using upper dot to denote the derivative with respect to {t}.

2. First variation of the sigma2 functional

Lemma 1 {(M^4,g)} is a critical point of {I_2(g)} if and only if

\displaystyle \Delta P-Hess(J)+2\mathring{Rm}(P)-2JP-|P|_g^2g=0 \ \ \ \ \ (2)

where {(\mathring{Rm}(P))_{ij}=R_{ikjl}P^{kl}}.

Proof:

\displaystyle \frac{d}{dt}\big|_{t=0} I_2(g(t))=\int_M J\dot J-\langle\dot P,P\rangle+\langle h,P\wedge P\rangle+\frac{1}{2}\sigma_2\text{\,Tr\,} h \,d\mu_g

where {(P\wedge P)_{ij}=P_{ik}P_{jl}g^{kl}}. Since we have

\displaystyle \int_M\langle P,\dot P\rangle\\ =\frac{1}{n-2}\int_M\langle P, \dot Ric-\dot Jg-Jh\rangle =\frac{1}{n-2}[\langle P, \dot Ric\rangle-\dot J J-J\langle h,P\rangle]

\displaystyle =\frac{1}{n-2}[-\frac{1}{2}\langle h,\Delta_L P\rangle+\langle h,Hess(J)\rangle-\frac{1}{2}\Delta J \text{\,Tr\,} h-\dot J J-J\langle h,P\rangle]

Plugging this into the derivative of {I_2} to get

\displaystyle (n-2)\frac{d}{dt}\big|_{t=0} I_2(g(t))\\ =\int_M\frac{1}{2}\langle h,\Delta_L P\rangle-\langle h,Hess(J)\rangle+\frac{1}{2}\Delta J \text{\,Tr\,} h\\

\displaystyle \quad +(n-1)\dot J J+J\langle h,P\rangle+(n-2)\langle h,P\wedge P\rangle+\frac{n-2}{2}\sigma_2\text{\,Tr\,} h d\mu_g

In order to simplify the above equation, we recall the definition of Lichnerowicz Laplacian {\Delta_L}

\displaystyle (\Delta_LP)_{ij}=(\Delta P)_{ij}-2P_{ik}Ric_{jl}g^{kl}+2R_{ikjl}P^{kl}

\displaystyle =(\Delta P)_{ij}-2(n-2)P_{ik}P_{jl}g^{kl}-2JP_{ij}+2R_{ikjl}P^{kl}

Apply (1) to get

(n-1)\dot J J=\frac12J\dot R=\frac12J[\delta^2h-\Delta(\text{\,Tr\,} h)-\langle h,Ric\rangle]
=\frac{1}{2}[\langle h, Hess(J)\rangle-\text{\,Tr\,} h\Delta J-(n-2)J\langle h, P\rangle-J^2\text{\,Tr\,} h]

Therefore we can simplify it to be

\displaystyle (n-2)\frac{d}{dt}\big|_{t=0} I_2(g(t)) =\int_M\frac{1}{2}\langle h,\Delta P\rangle-\frac{1}{2}\langle h, Hess(J)\rangle+h^{ij}R_{ikjl}P^{kl}

\displaystyle -\frac{n-2}{2}J\langle h,P\rangle-\frac{1}{2} J^2 \text{\,Tr\,} h+\frac{n-2}{2}\sigma_2\text{\,Tr\,} h d\mu_g

Let us denote {(\mathring{Rm}(P))_{ij}=R_{ikjl}P^{kl}}. Using the fact {n=4} and the definition of {\sigma_2},

\displaystyle \frac{d}{dt}\big|_{t=0} I_2(g(t))=\frac{1}{4}\int_M\langle h,Q\rangle d\mu_g

where

\displaystyle Q=\Delta P-Hess(J)+2\mathring{Rm}(P)-2JP-|P|_g^2g

\Box

Remark 1 It is easy to verify {\text{\,Tr\,} Q=0}, this is equivalent to say {I_2} is invariant under conformal change. More precisely, letting {h=2ug}, then

\displaystyle \frac{d}{dt}\big|_{t=0} I_2(g(t))=\frac{1}{4}\int_M\langle h,Q\rangle d\mu_g=\frac{1}{2}\int_M u\text{\,Tr\,} Q d\mu_g=0.

Remark 2 If {g} is an Einstein metric with {Ric=2(n-1)\lambda g}, then {P=\lambda g}, {J=n\lambda} and

\displaystyle \mathring{Rm}(P)=\lambda Ric=2(n-1)\lambda^2 g

It is easy to verify that {Q=0}. In other words, Einstein metrics are critical points of {I_2}.

Are there any non Einstein metric which are critical points of {I_2}?

Here is one example. Suppose {M=\mathbb{S}^2\times N}, where {\mathbb{S}^2} is the sphere with standard round metric and {(N,g_N)} is a two dimensional compact manifolds with sectional curvature {-1}. {M} is endowed with the product metric. We can prove {Ric=g_{S^2}-g_N}, {P=\frac{1}{2}g_{S^2}-\frac{1}{2}g_N}, {J=0}, {\mathring{Rm}(P)=g_{prod}} and consequently {Q=0}.

Note that the above example is a locally conformally flat manifold. For this type of manifold, we have the following lemma which can say

Lemma 2 Suppose {g} is locally conformally flat and {Q=0}, then

Proof: When {g} is locally conformally flat,

\displaystyle \mathring{Rm}(g)=JP+|P|_g^2g-2P\wedge P

{Q=0} is equivalent to

\displaystyle \Delta P-Hess(J)+|P|_g^2g-4P\wedge P=0

Actually this is equivalent to the Bach tensor {B} is zero. \Box

3. Another point of view

We have the Euler Characteristic formula for four dimensional manifolds

\displaystyle 8\pi^2\chi(M)=\int_M (|W|_g^2+\sigma_2) d\mu_g

therefore the critical points for {\int_M \sigma_2d\mu_g} will be the same as the critical points of {\int_M |W|_g^2d\mu_g}. However, the functional

\displaystyle g\rightarrow \int_M |W|_g^2d\mu_g

is well studied by Bach. The critical points of this functional satisfy Bach tensor equal to 0.

\displaystyle B_{ij}=\nabla^k\nabla^l W_{likj}+\frac{1}{2}Ric^{kl}W_{likj}

Obviously, {B=0} for Einstein metric, but not all Bach flat metrics are Einstein. For example {B=0} for any locally conformally flat manifolds.

By Sun's World | Also posted in Geometry, PDE, Riemannian Geo | Tagged | Comments (0)

Unique continuation property on the boundary

April 26, 2017 – 3:13 pm

I am writing a theorem proved by Jin Zhiren in his thesis.

 

Suppose \Omega is a smooth domain in \mathbb{R}^n, x_0\in \partial \Omega and u is a harmonic function in \Omega. If there exists A, b>0 such that

\displaystyle |u(x)|\leq Ae^{-\frac{b}{|x-x_0|}}\quad x\in \Omega

for |x-x_0| small, then u=0. If n=2, the same conclusion holds for the solutions of a general second order linear elliptic equation.

A borderline example for this theorem is u be the real part of e^{-1/z^\alpha}, \alpha\in (0,1). u is harmonic in the right half plane and u\leq Ae^{-1/|x|^\alpha} and consequently D^\beta u(0)=0.

 

 

 

 

By Sun's World | Also posted in PDE, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments (0)

Interior estimate for Monge Ampere equation

April 24, 2017 – 6:16 pm

Suppose we have u is a generalized solution of the Monge-Ampere equation

\det(\nabla^2 u)=1 \text{ in } B_1\subset\mathbb{R}^n

when n=2, Heinz proved

    |\nabla^2 u|_{B_{1/2}}\leq \sup_{B_1}u

when n\geq 3, Pogorelov has a counter example. One can have a solution u\in C^1(B_1), but u\in C^{1,\beta}(B_1) for some \beta\in (0,1). See his book The Minkowski Multidimensional Problem, on page 83.

By Sun's World | Also posted in PDE | Comments (0)

Newton tensor

April 3, 2017 – 2:56 pm

Suppose {A:V\rightarrow V} is a symmetric endomorphism of vector space {V}, {\sigma_k} is the {k-}th elementary symmetric function of the eigenvalue of {A}. Then

\displaystyle \det(A+tI)=\sum_{k=0}^n \sigma_k t^{n-k}

One can define the {k-}th Newton transformation as the following

\displaystyle \det(A+tI)(A+tI)^{-1}=\sum_{k=0}^{n-1}T_k(A)t^{n-k-1}

This means

\displaystyle \det(A+tI)=\sum_{k=0}^{n-1}T_k(A+tI)t^{n-k-1}

\displaystyle =T_0 t^n+\sum_{k=0}^{n-2}(A\cdot T_k(A)+T_{k+1}(A))t^{n-k-1}+T_{n-1}(A)

By comparing coefficients of {t}, we get the relations of {T_k}

\displaystyle T_0=1,\quad A\cdot T_k(A)+T_{k+1}(A)=\sigma_{k+1}I,\, 0\leq k\leq n-2\quad T_{n-1}(A)=\sigma_n

Induction shows

\displaystyle T_{k}(A)=\sigma_kI-\sigma_{k-1}A+\cdots+(-1)^kA^k

For example

\displaystyle T_1(A)=\sigma_1I-A

\displaystyle T_2(A)=\sigma_2-\sigma_1A+A^2

One of the important property of Newton transformation is that: Suppose {F(A)=\sigma_k(A)}, then

\displaystyle F^{ij}=\frac{\partial F}{\partial A_{ij}}=T_{k-1}^{ij}(A)

The is because

\displaystyle \frac{\partial }{\partial A_{ij}}\det(A+tI)=\det(A+tI)((A+tI)^{-1})_{ij}.

If {A\in \Gamma_k}, then {T_{k-1}(A)} is positive definite and therefore {F} is elliptic.

Remark: Hu, Z., Li, H. and Simon, U. . Schouten curvature functions on locally conformally flat Riemannian manifolds. Journal of Geometry, 88(1{-}2), (2008), 75{-}100.

By Sun's World | Also posted in PDE, Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments (1)