A characteristic eigenfunction for minimal hypersurfaces in space forms (Q1113109)

Let M be a complete hypersurface in a non-flat space form N. Using a generalization of a classical theorem due to Takahashi, we find an elementary function on M which is an eigenfunction corresponding to a specific eigenvalue precisely when M is a minimal submanifold of N. In the case of a flat ambient space N we recover a certain Poisson equation which similarly characterizes minimality of M in N [cf. the author, On the mean exit from a minimal submanifold, J. Differ. Geom. 29, No.1, 1-8 (1989; Zbl 0637.58033)]. Finally we show that if M is a minimal submanifold which is contained in a strictly convex geodesic ball in a space form N, then Brownian motion explodes on M.