Dividing sets as nodal sets of an eigenfunction of the Laplacian (Q538639)

Let \(S\) be a closed connected surface and \(\Gamma\subset S\) a collection of embedded circles dividing \(S\) into two regions, so that \(S\cong S_-\cup([-1, 1] \times\Gamma)\cup S_+\) where \(S_{\pm}\) are two open submanifolds of \(S\). By constructing weakly subharmonic functions with linear growth, at the end the author proves (Proposition 6) that there exists a smooth function \(u: S\to\mathbb R\), an area form \(\Omega\) and a compatible complex structure \(j\) on \(S\) so that \(d(du\circ j)=u\Omega,\;u^{-1}(0)=\Gamma,\;u^2+|du|^2>0\). Assume that \(S\) is a convex surface in a contact \(3\)-manifold \((M,\xi)\), that is, there exists a (local) vector field \(\mathbf v\) transverse to \(S\) so that \(L_{\mathbf v}\xi=0\). By the above result, the author shows (Theorem 3) that there exist a metric on \(S\) and a neighborhood contact isotopic to \(S\times I\) with the contact structure given by \(ker(udt-\star du)\) where \(u\) is an eigenfunction of the Laplacian on \(S\) and \(\star\) is the Hodge star from the metric on \(S\). The result is the answer to a question posed by \textit{R. Komendarczyk} [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 358, No.~6, 2399--2413 (2006; Zbl 1156.53318)].