Eigenvalues and suspension structure of compact Riemannian orbifolds with positive Ricci curvature

Let M be a compact n-dimensional Riemannian orbifold of Ricci curvature ≥n−1. We prove that for 1 ≤k≤n, the k ^th nonzero eigenvalue of the Laplacian on M is equal to the dimension n if and only if M is isometric to the k-times spherical suspension over the quotient S ^{n − k} }Γ of the unit (n−k)-sphere by a finite group Γ⊂O(n−k+1) acting isometrically on S ^{n − k} ⊂ℝ ^{n − k +}. Received: 21 September 1998 / Revised version: 23 February 1999     

A Bernstein theorem for complete spacelike constant mean curvature hypersurfaces in Minkowski space

We obtain a gradient estimate for the Gauss maps from complete spacelike constant mean curvature hypersurfaces in Minkowski space into the hyperbolic space. As an application, we prove a Bernstein theorem which says that if the image of the Gauss map is bounded from one side, then the spacelike constant mean curvature hypersurface must be linear. This result extends the previous theorems obtained by B. Palmer [Pa] and Y.L. Xin [Xin1] where they assume that the image of the Gauss map is bounded. We also prove a Bernstein theorem for spacelike complete surfaces with parallel mean curvature vector in four-dimensional spaces. Received July 4, 1997 / Accepted October 9, 1997     

Ricci curvature and the topology of open manifolds

In this paper, we prove that an open Riemannian n-manifold with Ricci curvature and for some is diffeomorphic to a Euclidean n-space if the volume growth of geodesic balls around p is not too far from that of the balls in . We also prove that a complete n-manifold M with is diffeomorphic to if , where is the volume of unit ball in . Received 5 May, 1997     

Spacelike hypersurfaces with constant scalar curvature

In this paper, we shall give an integral equality by applying the operator □ introduced by S.Y. Cheng and S.T. Yau [7] to compact spacelike hypersurfaces which are immersed in de Sitter space S ^{n +1} ₁(c) and have constant scalar curvature. By making use of this integral equality, we show that such a hypersurface with constant scalar curvature n(n-1)r is isometric to a sphere if r << c. Received: 18 December 1996 / Revised version: 26 November 1997     

A class of Riemannian manifolds that pinch when evolved by Ricci flow

The purpose of this paper is to construct a set of Riemannian metrics on a manifold X with the property that will develop a pinching singularity in finite time when evolved by Ricci flow. More specifically, let , where N ⁿ is an arbitrary closed manifold of dimension n≥ 2 which admits an Einstein metric of positive curvature. We construct a (non-empty) set of warped product metrics on the non-compact manifold X such that if , then a smooth solution , t∈[0,T) to the Ricci flow equation exists for some maximal constant T, 0<T<∞, with initial value , and

Rough isometry and Dirichlet finite harmonic functions on Riemannian manifolds

We prove that the dimension of harmonic functions with finite Dirichlet integral is invariant under rough isometries between Riemannian manifolds satisfying the local conditions, expounded below. This result directly generalizes those of Kanai, of Grigor'yan, and of Holopainen. We also prove that the dimension of harmonic functions with finite Dirichlet integral is preserved under rough isometries between a Riemannian manifold satisfying the same local conditions and a graph of bounded degree; and between graphs of bounded degree. These results generalize those of Holopainen and Soardi, and of Soardi, respectively. Received: 23 July 1998 / Revised version: 10 February 1999     

On eigenvalue pinching in positive Ricci curvature

We shall show that for manifolds with Ric≥n−1 the radius is close to π iff the (n+1)st eigenvalue is close to n. This extends results of Cheng and Croke which show that the diameter is close to π iff the first eigenvalue is close to n. We shall also give a new proof of an important theorem of Colding to the effect that if the radius is close to π, then the volume is close to that of the sphere and the manifold is Gromov-Hausdorff close to the sphere. From work of Cheeger and Colding these conditions imply that the manifold is diffeomorphic to a sphere. Oblatum 29-V-1998 & 4-II-1999 / Published online: 21 May 1999     

Existence of constant mean curvature graphs in hyperbolic space

We give an existence result for constant mean curvature graphs in hyperbolic space . Let be a compact domain of a horosphere in whose boundary is mean convex, that is, its mean curvature (as a submanifold of the horosphere) is positive with respect to the inner orientation. If H is a number such that , then there exists a graph over with constant mean curvature H and boundary . Umbilical examples, when is a sphere, show that our hypothesis on H is the best possible. Received July 18, 1997 / Accepted April 24, 1998     

Embedded constant mean curvature surfaces with special symmetry

We give sharp, necessary conditions on complete embedded CMC surfaces with three ends and an extra reflection symmetry. The respective submoduli space is a two-dimensional variety in the moduli space of general CMC surfaces. Fundamental domains of our CMC surfaces are characterized by associated great circle polygons in the three-sphere. Received: 23 January 1998 / Revised version: 23 October 1998     

On the existence of nontrivial extremal metrics on complete noncompact surfaces

In this paper, we consider the 2-dimensional local Calabi flow on a complete noncompact surface . Then, based on the Harnack-type estimate, we show the long-time existence and asymptotic convergence of a subsequence of solutions of such a flow on with and bounded from above by a negative constant on a ball. For its applications, this will lead to the existence of extremal metrics on a complete noncompact surface of finite topological type. In particular, there exists an extremal metric of nonconstant Gaussian curvature on or Received: 21 June 2001 / 18 January 2002 / Published online: 27 June 2002 Research supported in part by NSC and NCTS.     

Topological obstructions to nonnegative curvature

We find new obstructions to the existence of complete Riemannian metric of nonnegative sectional curvature on manifolds with infinite fundamental groups. In particular, we construct many examples of vector bundles whose total spaces admit no nonnegatively curved metrics. Received February 11, 2000 / Published online February 5, 2001     

Invariant metrics of positive Ricci curvature on principal bundles

Let be a compact connected Riemannian manifold with a metric of positive Ricci curvature. Let be a principal bundle over with compact connected structure group . If the fundamental group of is finite, we show that admits a invariant metric with positive Ricci curvature so that is a Riemannian submersion. Received 14 January 1997     

On the existence of H-surfaces into Riemannian manifolds

This paper considers the existence of a local minimizer of a conformally invariant functional defined on a space of maps of a closed Riemann surface into a compact Riemannian manifold . The functional is defined for a given tensor on of type (1,2) and we call its extremal an -surface. In fact, we prove that there exists a local minimizer of the functional in a given homotopy class under certain conditions on , and the minimum of the Dirichlet integral of maps of the homotopy class. Received January 21, 1994 / Received in revised form October 24, 1995 / Accepted March 15, 1996     

Hölder continuity of harmonic maps from Riemannian polyhedra to spaces of upper bounded curvature

This is an addendum to the recent Cambridge Tract “Harmonic maps between Riemannian polyhedra”, by J. Eells and the present author. H?lder continuity of locally energy minimizing maps from an admissible Riemannian polyhedron X to a complete geodesic space Y is established here in two cases: (1) Y is simply connected and has curvature (in the sense of A.D. Alexandrov), or (2) Y is locally compact and has curvature , say, and is contained in a convex ball in Y satisfying bi-point uniqueness and of radius (best possible). With Y a Riemannian polyhedron, and in case (2), this was established in the book mentioned above, though with H?lder continuity taken in a weaker, pointwise sense. For X a Riemannian manifold the stated results are due to N.J. Korevaar and R.M. Schoen, resp. T. Serbinowski. Received: 10 October 2001 / Accepted: 20 November 2001 / Published online: 6 August 2002