Conformal metrics of constant mass. (Q5944964)

Let \(M\) be a smooth, closed manifold of dimension \(n\geq 3\). We consider a class \({\mathcal C}\) of locally conformally flat Riemannian metrics on \(M\), which support a Riemannian metric of positive scalar curvature. By using the Green function of the Yamabe operator the author of the present paper together with \textit{J. Jost} in [J. Differ. Geom. 53, 405--442 (1999; Zbl 1071.53023)] constructed a canonical metric \(g_{\mathcal C}\) for each class \({\mathcal C}\). This metric is a good tool for studying the moduli space of classes \({\mathcal C}\). In the present paper using the concept of mass, the author gives a new interpretation of the canonical metric \(g_{\mathcal C}\) which allows the generalization, at least in low dimensions \((3,4,5)\), to a conformal class \({\mathcal C}\) that is not necessarily locally conformally flat.