Uniqueness of noncompact spacelike hypersurfaces of constant mean curvature in generalized Robertson-Walker spacetimes (Q1851067)

The authors prove a uniqueness theorem for spacelike hypersurfaces of constant mean curvature in a generalized Robertson-Walker space-time, under the hypothesis that the hyperbolic angle between the future--pointing unit vector field and the universal time axis has a local maximum and under the assumption of a certain matter energy condition. The result is motivated by the important role played by such hypersurfaces in general relativity as initial hypersurfaces for constraint equations. The method of proof involves the Bochner-Lichnerowicz formula.