Multiplicity bounds for Steklov eigenvalues on Riemannian surfaces (Q486849)

Let \((M,g)\) be a compact connected Riemannian surface with a non empty boundary \(\partial M\), \(\rho(x)\) a bounded density on \(\partial M\). The Steklov eigenvalues \((\sigma_k(g,\rho))_{k\geq0}\) are given through the min-max principle applied to the Rayleigh quotient \(\int_M|\nabla u|^2d\text{vol}_g/\int_{\partial M}u^2\rho ds_g\). Let \(m_k(g,\rho)\) be the multiplicity of the eigenvalue \(\sigma_k(g,\rho)\). The main result of this paper is the general eigenvalue multiplicities bound \[ m_k(g,\rho)\leq 2(2-\chi)+\min(2(k-\ell)+1, k),\quad k\geq1 \] where \(\chi\) is the Euler-Poincaré number for \(M\) and \(\ell\) is the number of connected components of the boundary \(\partial M\). The sharp or non sharp character of these bounds are discussed : if \(M\) is not homeomorphic to the disk, the authors prove the strict inequality \(m_k(g,\rho)< 2(2-\chi)+k\) for \(k\geq1\). Moreover, when the function \(\rho\) is smooth and positive, the authors prove the uniform bound \(\sup_{k\geq1}m_k(g,\rho)<\infty\) as a consequence of the spectral asymptotics of pseudo-differential operators. The proofs are mainly based on the Courant's nodal domain theorem and isotopy arguments, according to the method introduced by \textit{S.-Y. Cheng} [Comment. Math. Helv. 51, 43--55 (1976; Zbl 0334.35022)] to prove multiplicity bounds \(m_k(g)\leq 2(2-\chi)+2k+1\) for compact closed Riemannian surfaces (see \textit{G. Besson} [Ann. Inst. Fourier 30, No. 1, 109--128 (1980; Zbl 0417.30033)] and \textit{N. Nadirashvili} [Math. USSR Sb. 61, No. 1, 225--238 (1988; Zbl 0672.35049)] for improvements).