A new proof of the uniformization theorem (Q2386432)

The classical uniformization theorem for compact \(2\)-surfaces of genus \(0\) is re-proved in the following form: Let \(\Sigma\) be a manifold homeomorphic to \(S^2\) with a Hölder continuous Riemannian metric (which may be allowed to degenerate on a null set). Then there exists a homeomorphism \(u\in H^{1,2}\cap C(S^2,\Sigma)\) such that \(u_*g\) is conformal to the standard metric on \(S^2\). Moreover, if \(g\in C^{k,\alpha}\) for some \(k\geq2\) or \(k\in\{\infty,\omega\}\), \(u\) is a diffeomorphism of class \(C^{k-1,\alpha}\) or \(C^\infty\), \(C^\omega\). The new proof proceeds by the direct method of the calculus of variations. A degree \(1\) minimizer for the energy functional \(E_g(u):={1\over2}\int_{S^2}\| du\| _g^2\,d\,\text{vol}_{S^2}\) is constructed as the weak limit of a minimizing sequence. It is well known that the weak \(W^{1,2}\) limit of a sequence of continuous maps in \(2\) dimensions does not necessarily represent the same free homotopy class as almost all of the sequence, due to the phenomenon of ``bubbling off of spheres''. Therefore, bubbling off must be excluded for a minimizing sequence of degree \(1\) maps. This is done by arguments which are re-stated here for the special case, but which are based upon [\textit{F. Duzaar} and \textit{E. Kuwert}, Calc. Var. Partial Differ. Equ. 6, 285--313 (1998; Zbl 0909.49008)]. The second (and most crucial) ingredient is a so-called Douglas condition (due to E. Kuwert) which, roughly speaking, prevents maps from decaying into holomorphic \textit{and} antiholomorphic bubbles (which would be the only way for a degree \(1\) sequence to bubble at all).