The first eigenvalue of homogeneous minimal hypersurfaces in a unit sphere \(S^{n+1}(1)\) (Q1066486)

The Laplacian on a Riemannian \(n\)-manifold \(M\) minimally immersed into a unit sphere \(S^{n+1}(1)\) has, due to a theorem of \textit{T. Takahashi} [J. Math. Soc. Japan 18, 380--385 (1966; Zbl 0145.18601)], the first eigenvalue not greater than \(n\). With this fact in mind the present author computes the first eigenvalues for some homogeneous minimal hypersurfaces in a unit sphere \(S^{n+1}(1)\). It is to be noted that a homogeneous hypersurface of \(S^{n+1}(1)\) has constant principal curvatures so that it is isoparametric. For some of such hypersurfaces these eigenvalues were already computed by \textit{H. Muto}, \textit{Y. Ohnita} and \textit{H. Urakawa} [Tôhoku Math. J. (2) 36, 253--267 (1984; Zbl 0539.53044)], but in the present paper the following theorem is proved: If \(M\) is an \(n\)-dimensional compact homogeneous minimal hypersurface in a unit sphere with \(r\) distinct principal curvatures, then the first eigenvalue of the Laplacian on \(M\) is \(n\) unless \(r=4\). The idea developed in [\textit{W. Y. Hsiang} and \textit{H. B. Lawson} jun., J. Differ. Geom. 5, 1--38 (1971; Zbl 0219.53045)] and [\textit{R. Takagi} and \textit{T. Takahashi}, Differential Geometry, in Honor of Kentaro Yano, 469--481 (1972; Zbl 0244.53042)] and the method used in the above-mentioned paper by H. Muto and others are applied in the author's proof.