Shape optimization for the Steklov problem in higher dimensions (Q2631936)

The authors give an example of a contractible domain \(\Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^{n}\), \(n\geq3\), with the same boundary volume but larger first Steklov eigenvalue \(\sigma_{1}\left(\Omega\right)\) than that of the unit ball \(\mathbb{B}_{1}\); the ball is known to maximize \(\sigma_{1}\) among convex domains of fixed boundary volume. The example is an annulus \(\mathbb{B}_{1}\setminus\mathbb{B}_{\epsilon}\) modified by a small tube joining its boundary components. The problem of finding an optimal domain for \(\sigma_{1}\) is not answered although it is shown that there must be one with connected boundary.