Yau's problem on a characterization of rotational ellipsoids (Q2477149)

The following question is due to S. T. Yau: Does the relation \(k_1= ck^3_2\) with a constant \(c\) between the principal curvatures \(k_1\), \(k_2\) characterize rotational ellipsoids within the class of smooth closed surfaces in Euclidean 3-space? By a theorem of K. Voss, restricting to analytic surfaces, this problem may be strongly reduced to rotational surfaces. For this case the author gives an unconventional proof of a positive answer to Yau's question, consisting of the application of the (normalization invariant) traceless cubic form of the relative surface theory. Furthermore, related problems are studied.