First eigenvalue estimate on Riemannian manifolds (Q1903627)

Let \(M\) be a connected compact Riemannian manifold. Let \(\Delta\) be the Laplace-Beltrami operator acting on smooth functions on \(M\). The first positive eigenvalue \(\lambda_1\) of the equation \(-\Delta f= \lambda f\) has been the subject of many investigations. Now let the Ricci curvature of \(M\) be bounded from below, \(\text{Ric}\geq -L\), \(L>0\), and let \(d\) be the diameter of \(M\). Then the following estimates are shown: \[ \text{a) } \lambda_1\geq {\pi^2 \over {2d^2}}- {L\over 4}, \quad \text{b) } \lambda_1\geq \sqrt {{\pi^4 \over d^4}+ {L^2 \over {16}}} - {3L \over 4}, \quad \text{c) }\lambda_1\geq {\pi^2 \over d^2} e^{-{1\over 2} C_n \sqrt {Ld^2}}, \] where \(C_n= \max\{ \sqrt {n-1}, \sqrt {2}\}\) and \(n= \dim (M)\). The proofs are based on gradient estimates for suitable functions manufactured from the eigenfunction.