Prescribed scalar curvature on a complete Riemannian manifold in the negative case (Q1591469)

Let \((V_n,g)\) be a complete, noncompact smooth Riemannian manifold of dimension \(n\geq 3\), with scalar curvature \(R\). A much studied problem in conformal geometry is to understand the conditions under which a function \(f\in C^\infty(V_n)\) is the scalar curvature of a new metric \(g'\) conformal to \(g\). If we set \(g'=u^{4/(n-2)}\) with \(u\in C^\infty(V_n)\), \(u>0\), then it is well known that the existence of \(g'\) is equivalent to the solvability of the equation \[ {{4(n-1)}\over{n-2}} \Delta u + Ru = f u^{(n+2)/(n-2)} \leqno(*) \] where \(\Delta = - g^{ij}\nabla_i\nabla_j\). One also usually requires \(g'\) to be complete. Here this problem is addressed in the negative scalar curvature case \(R=-1\) (more general assumptions on \(R\) guaranteeing that the problem can be reduced to this special case have been found by \textit{P.~Aviles} and \textit{R.~McOwen} [J. Differ. Geom. 27, 225-239 (1988; Zbl 0648.53021)]). Under some further technical assumptions, the author finds sufficient conditions for the existence of positive solutions of \((*)\) in the cases \(f\leq 0\) and \(f\) changes sign. In the first case the method of sub- and supersolutions is used; in the second case the technique of \textit{T.~Aubin} and the author [J. Funct. Anal. 143, 529-541 (1997; Zbl 0870.53034)] for the compact case is adapted to noncompact manifolds.