On the exponent of convergence of negatively curved manifolds without Green's function (Q1704360)

Let \((M,g)\) be a complete Riemannian manifold. A Green's function is a positive fundamental solution of the scalar Laplacian \(\Delta\) on \(M\); \(M\) has a Green's function if and only if the Brownian motion is transient. The authors show the following. Theorem. Let \(M\) be a complete Riemannian manifold of dimension \(n\) with sectional curvature at most \(-1\). Let \(\tilde M\) be the universal cover and \(\Gamma\) the group of deck transformations so \(M=\tilde M/\Gamma\). If the series \(\sum_{\gamma\in\Gamma}\exp(-(n-1)d(x_0,\gamma y_0))\) converges for some \(x_0,y_0\in\tilde M\), then the Greens function on \(M\) exists. Let \(\delta\) be the exponent of convergence \[ \delta=\inf\{t:\sum_{\gamma\in\Gamma}\exp(-td(x,\gamma x))<\infty\text{ for some }x\in M\,. \] The authors show the following. Theorem. Let \(M\) be a complete Riemannian manifold of dimension \(n\) with sectional curvature at most \(-1\) without Green's function. Then \(\delta\geq n-1\).