Existence and regularity of maximal metrics for the first Laplace eigenvalue on surfaces (Q484098)

Let \((\Sigma,g)\) be a smooth compact Riemann surface of genus \(\gamma\) without boundary. Let \(0<\lambda_1(\Sigma,g)\) be the first non-zero eigenvalue of the Laplacian and let \(\tilde\lambda_1(\Sigma,g):=\lambda_1(\Sigma,g)\cdot\text{Vol}(\Sigma,g)\) be the normalized first eigenvalue. Fix the conformal class \(\mathcal{C}\). The infimum of the first eigenvalue within \(\mathcal{C}\) is always zero. \textit{P. C. Yang} and \textit{S.-T. Yau} [Ann. Sc. Norm. Super. Pisa, Cl. Sci., IV. Ser. 7, 55--61 (1980; Zbl 0446.58017)] established the bound \(\tilde\lambda_1(\Sigma,g)\leq8\pi[\frac{\gamma+3}2]\) and thus one may define \(\Lambda_1[\mathcal{C}]:=\sup_{g\in\mathcal{C}}\lambda_1(\Sigma,g)<\infty\). The conformal structure on the sphere \(S^2\) is unique (up to diffeomorphism) and one has \(\Lambda_1[\mathcal{C}_{S^2}]=8\pi\) by the work of \textit{J. Hersch} [C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris, Sér. A 270, 1645--1648 (1970; Zbl 0224.73083)]. The author shows the following (in addition to several other results): \smallbreak\noindent{ Theorem.} Let \(\Sigma\) be a compact Riemann surface without boundary which is not diffeomorphic to \(S^2\). \smallbreak 1. \(\Lambda_1(\mathcal{C})>8\pi\). Furthermore, there is an extremal metric \(\tilde g\in\mathcal{C}\) which is smooth except possibly at a finite number of points corresponding to conical singularities, so \(\tilde\lambda_1(\Sigma,\tilde g)=\Lambda_1(\mathcal{C})\). \smallbreak 2. If \(\Sigma\) is orientable, then \(\inf_{\mathcal{C}}\Lambda_1(\Sigma,\mathcal{C})=8\pi\). \bigbreak\noindent Assertion~2 was obtained previously by \textit{A. Girouard} [Can. J. Math. 61, No. 3, 548--565 (2009; Zbl 1198.53039)] in genus 1. \S1 provides an introduction to the paper. \S2 deals with a rigidity result and treats extremal functions for a sharp Moser-Trudinger inequality. \S3 studies the existence of maximal metrics within a conformal class. \S4 examines the existence of maximal metrics for the first eigenvalue.