On the multiplicity of eigenvalues of conformally covariant operators (Q486783)

Let \((M,g)\) be a compact Riemannian manifold and \(P_g\) an elliptic, formally self-adjoint, conformally covariant operator of order \(m\) acting on smooth sections of a bundle over \(M\). An eigenspace of \(P_g\) is said to be a rigid eigenspace if it has dimension greater than or equal to two and for any two eigensections \(u\), \(v\), if \(\| u \|_g = \| v \|_g =1\) then \[ \| u \|_x = \| v \|_x =1 \;\;\;\text{ for all } x \in M . \] The author proves that, if \(P_g\) has no rigid eigenspaces, then the set of functions \(f\in C^\infty (M,\mathbb{R})\) for which \(P_{\exp (f) g}\) has only simple non-zero eigenvalues are simple is a residual set in \(C^\infty (M,\mathbb{R})\). As a consequence, if \(P_g\) has no rigid eigenspaces for a dense set of metrics, then all non-zero eigenvalues are simple for a residual set of metrics in the \(C^\infty\)-topology. The author also proves that the eigenvalues of \(P_g\) depend continuously on \(g\) in the \(C^\infty\)-topology, provided \(P_g\) is strongly elliptic. As an application of the work, the author shows that if \(P_g\) acts on \(C^\infty(M)\) (e.g. Graham-Jenne-Mason-Sparling operators), its non-zero eigenvalues are generically simple.