Inverse spectral positivity for surfaces (Q2256072)

Let \((M,g)\) be a complete, connected, orientable, non-compact Riemann surface. Let \(\Delta=\delta d\) be the scalar Laplacian and \(K\) be the Gaussian curvature. Let \(W\) be a locally integrable function with \(W_+\) integrable. The authors consider the operator \[ P:=\Delta+a K+W\text{ for }0<a\in\mathbb{R}\,. \] Let \(V(r)\) be the volume of the geodesic ball of radius \(r\) about the base point. One says \((M,g)\) has sub-exponential volume growth if \(\limsup_{r\rightarrow\infty} r^{-1}\ln(V(r))=0\) and sub-polynomial volume growth of order at most \(k\) if \(\limsup_{r\rightarrow\infty}r^{-k}V(r)=0\). The main result of the paper is the following; it relates the geometry of \((M,g)\) to non-negativity of \(P\). \smallbreak\noindent Theorem. Assume \(P\geq0\) and that: \smallbreak1. \(a\in(\frac14,\infty)\) or \smallbreak2. \(a=\frac14\) and \((M,g)\) has sub-exponential growth or \smallbreak3. \(a\in(0,\frac14)\) and \((M,g)\) sub-polynomial of order at most \(2+\frac{4a}{1-4a}\). \smallbreak\noindent Then. \smallbreak A. The surface \((M,g)\) has finite topology, at most quadratic volume growth, and is conformally equivalent to a closed Riemann surface with finitely many points removed. \smallbreak B. The function \(W\) is integrable on \((M,g)\) and \(0\leq2\pi a\chi(M)+\int_MW\). \smallbreak C. If equality holds in B, then \((M,g)\) has sub-quadratic volume growth and, furthermore, \(aK+W\equiv0\) almost everywhere. \medbreak Consequences of this result are Huber's theorem and the Cohn-Vossen inequality. \S1 presents the main results, \S2 establishes notation and some preliminary results, \S3 proves and establishes the optimality of the main result, \S4 gives a generalization to finite index operators, and \S5 establishes some other results of the paper.