The Christoffel problem by the fundamental solution of the Laplace equation (Q2037808): Difference between revisions

Given a positive function \(f\) on the unit sphere \({\mathbb S}^n\), the Christoffel problem concerns the existence of a closed convex body \(\Omega\subset {\mathbb R}^{n+1}\) such that the sum of the principal curvature radii of \({\mathcal M} = \partial\Omega\) at \(p\) is equal to \(f(x)\), where \(x\) is the unit outward normal of \({\mathcal M}\) at \(p\). This problem is equivalent to the existence of convex solutions to \(\Delta_{{\mathbb S}^n} u + n u = f\) on the unit sphere \({\mathbb S}^n\). \par In this paper the authors observe that the second derivatives of the solution can be expressed by the fundamental solution of the Laplacian operator on \({\mathbb R}^{n+1}\). This observation leads to a simple necessary and sufficient conditions for the solvability of the Christoffel problem. \par The authors consider also the \(L_p\)-Christoffel problem associated with the equation \[\Delta_{{\mathbb S}^n} u + nu = f(x) u^{p-1} \ \text{on} \ {\mathbb S}^{n}\] and provide sufficient conditions for the convexity of the solution of this problem for \(p\geq 2\).