Improved Beckner's inequality for axially symmetric functions on \(\mathbb{S}^4\) (Q6118806)

Summary: We show that axially symmetric solutions on \(\mathbb{S}^4\) to a constant \(Q\)-curvature type equation (it may also be called fourth order mean field equation) must be constant, provided that the parameter \(\alpha\) in front of the Paneitz operator belongs to the interval \( [ \frac{473 + \sqrt{209329}}{1800} \approx 0.517, 1)\). This is in contrast to the case \(\alpha = 1\), where there exists a family of solutions, known as standard bubbles. The phenomenon resembles the Gaussian curvature equation on \(\mathbb{S}^2\). As a consequence, we prove an improved Beckner's inequality on \(\mathbb{S}^4\) for axially symmetric functions with their centers of mass at the origin. Furthermore, we show uniqueness of axially symmetric solutions when \(\alpha = 1/5\) by exploiting Pohozaev-type identities, and prove the existence of a non-constant axially symmetric solution for \( \alpha \in (1/5, 1/2)\) via a bifurcation method.