Metrics on a closed surface of genus two which maximize the first eigenvalue of the Laplacian (Q1713495)

Let \((M,g)\) be a compact Riemann surface without boundary. Let \(\lambda_1(g)\) be the first positive eigenvalue of the scalar Laplacian and let \(\Lambda(g):=\lambda_1(g)\cdot\text{Area}(g)\); the normalization is chosen so that this is invariant under rescaling the metric. Suppose \(M\) has genus \(\gamma\). \textit{P. C. Yang} and \textit{S.-T. Yau} [Ann. Sc. Norm. Super. Pisa, Cl. Sci., IV. Ser. 7, 55--61 (1980; Zbl 0446.58017)] showed that \(\Lambda(t)\leq 8\pi\left[\frac{\gamma+3}2\right]\). In particular, if \(M\) has genus \(2\), then \(\Lambda(g)\leq16\pi\). \textit{D. Jakobson} et al. [Int. Math. Res. Not. 2005, No. 63, 3967--3985 (2005; Zbl 1114.58026)] considered a particular example called the \textit{Bolza} surface [Am. J. Math. 10, 47--70 (1887; JFM 19.0119.04)] and conjectured that equality held for that example. The authors showed that this was in fact the case and thus settled this conjecture.