\(J\)-harmonic functions on almost Hermitian manifolds (Q2176107)

The purpose of this paper is to examine the \(J\)-Laplacian operator \(\Delta_J=\mathrm{div} J \nabla\) acting on smooth functions on an almost Hermitian manifold \((M,J,g)\). Let \(\omega(X,Y)=g(JX,Y)\) be a fundamental 2-form for an almost Hermitian structure. An almost Hermitian manifold is called almost-Kähler if \(d\omega=0\) and it is called semi-Kähler if \(\delta\omega=0\), i.e., \(\omega\) is co-closed. It is obvious that on any almost Kähler manifold all functions \(H\) are \(J\)-harmonic, and \(\Delta_J H=0\). A natural question is: To what extent can this phenomenon be generalized? In this paper, it is shown that every function on an almost Hermitian manifold is \(J\)-harmonic if and only if the manifold is semi-Kähler. It is interesting whether there are almost Hermitian manifolds which are not semi-Kähler but possess non-constant \(J\)-harmonic functions. The author shows the abundance of such manifolds that are obtained from semi-Kähler manifolds \((M, J, g)\) by conformally changing of the metric \(g\). It is then shown that \(J\)-harmonic functions on an almost Hermitian manifold are first integrals of the vector field \(\delta\omega^\sharp \), where the superscript \(\sharp\) denotes the metric dual of the 1-form \(\delta\omega\). This generalizes the notion of Hamiltonian functions on symplectic manifolds, and provides a refreshing way to interpret the seminal classification of almost Hermitian manifolds by \textit{A. Gray} and \textit{L. M. Hervella} [Ann. Mat. Pura Appl. (4) 123, 35--58 (1980; Zbl 0444.53032)]. Existence and non-existence of \(J\)-harmonic functions under some conditions are explored, where a connection to the problem of existence of closed orbits in dynamical systems is revealed.