The upper bound of the \({{\text L}_{\mu}^2}\) spectrum (Q963264)

For an \(n\)-dimensional complete non-compact manifold \(M\) with weighted measure \(d\mu = e^h (x)dV(x)\) and weighted Laplacian \(\Delta_\mu\), the following is proved: If the \(m\)-dimensional Bakry-Émery curvature is bounded from below by \(\text{Ric}_m -(m - 1)K, K \geq 0\), then the bottom of the \(L^2_\mu\) spectrum \(\lambda_1 (M )\) is bounded by \[ \lambda_1(M ) \leq \frac{ (m - 1)^2 K} {4}, \] which generalizes a theorem of \textit{S.-Y. Cheng} [Math. Z. 143, 289--297 (1975; Zbl 0329.53035)]. A charp gradient estimate and a Harnack inequality of the solution \(u\) to the equation \(\Delta_\mu =\lambda-u\) are obtained. See also [\textit{S.-Y. Cheng}, Math. Z. 143, 289--297 (1975; Zbl 0329.53035)]; \textit{Z. Qian}, [Q. J. Math., Oxf. II. Ser. 48, No.190, 235--242 (1997; Zbl 0902.53032)]; \textit{J. Lott}, [Comment. Math. Helv. 78, No.~4, 865--883 (2003; Zbl 1038.53041)].