Lower eigenvalue estimates for Dirac operators (Q811638)

We prove a lower eigenvalue estimate for generalized Dirac operators which implies that on a surface \(M\) of genus 0 the eigenvalues \(\lambda\) of the classical Dirac operator satisfy the inequality \(\lambda^ 2\geq(4\pi/\text{area}(M))\). This estimate is sharp if and only if \(M\) carries a metric of constant curvature. As a second application we generalize Hijazi's inequality.