On the \(\sigma_2\)-scalar curvature (Q977607)

A natural generalization of the scalar curvature of a Riemannian metric \(g\) is the \(\sigma_k\)-scalar curvature, i.e., the \(k\)-th elementary symmetric function of the eigenvalues of \(g^{-1}S_g\), with \(S_g\) being the Schouten tensor of \(g\) [\textit{J. A. Viaclovsky}, Duke Math. J. 101, No.~2, 283--316 (2000; Zbl 0990.53035)]. The corresponding nonlinear Yamabe problem: finding a strictly \(k\)-admissible conformal metric \(g\) in the conformal class of a fixed metric \(g_0\), satisfying the curvature equation \(\sigma_k(g)=f\) for \(f\geq 0\), has widely been studied. A quotient type equation \(\frac{\sigma_2}{\sigma_1}=f\) for \(f>0\) was considered in [\textit{Y. Ge} and \textit{G. Wang}, Int. Math. Res. Not. 6 (2007; Zbl 1133.53033)]. In this paper, the authors establish an analytic foundation for the equation \(\frac{\sigma_2}{\sigma_1}=f\) on manifolds with metrics of positive scalar curvature. They observe that it is a degenerate elliptic equation without any condition on the sign of \(f\), and it is elliptic both for \(f>0\) and for \(f<0\). We cite from the authors' abstract: ``By defining a Yamabe constant \(Y_{2,1}\) with respect to this equation, we show that a manifold with metrics of positive scalar curvature admits a conformal metric of positive scalar curvature and positive \(\sigma_2\)-scalar curvature if and only if \(Y_{2,1}>0\). We give a complete solution for the corresponding Yamabe problem. Namely, let \(g_0\) be a positive scalar curvature metric, then in its conformal class there is a conformal metric with \(\sigma_2(g)=\kappa\sigma_1(g)\) for some constant \(\kappa\). Using these analytic results, we give a rough classification of the space of manifolds with metrics of positive scalar curvature.''