A theorem of Liouville type for \(p\)-harmonic maps in weighted Riemannian manifolds (Q309677)

Let \(\mathcal{M}:=(M,g_M)\) and \(\mathcal{N}:=(N,g_N)\) be complete Riemannian manifolds of dimension \(m\) and \(n\), where \(m\geq2\). Let \(p\geq2\). One says that a map \(u:M\rightarrow N\) is \(p\)-harmonic if \(u|_{\Omega}\) is a critical point of the \(p\)-energy \(\int_\Omega|du|^p\mathrm {dvol}_M\) for every compact domain \(\Omega\) contained in \(M\). More generally, \(u\) is said to be \((p,f)\)-harmonic for \(f\in C^\infty(M)\) if \(u|_\Omega\) is a critical point of the \((p,f)\)-energy \(\int_\Omega e^{-f}\|du\|^p\mathrm {dvol}_M\); the function \(f\) serves as a weighting and \(\mathcal{M}\) is often referred to as a weighted manifold. The \(f\)-Ricci curvature (Bakry-Emery Ricci curvature) is defined by setting \(\mathrm {Ric}_{f,\mathcal{M}}:=\mathrm {Ric}_{\mathcal{M}}+\mathrm {Hess}(f)\). The authors show: \smallbreak\noindent\textbf{Theorem.} Let \(\mathcal{M}\) be an orientable complete non-compact weighted Riemannian manifold with non-negative \(f\)-Ricci curvature. Let \(\mathcal{N}\) be a complete Riemannian manifold with non-positive sectional curvature. Let \(u:M\rightarrow N\) be a \((p,f)\)-harmonic map with finite total \((p,f)\)-energy. \smallbreak\noindent(I) If at least one of the following hypotheses is satisfied, then \(u\) is homotopic to a constant map: \smallbreak\quad a. There exists a constant such that \(|f|<C\). \smallbreak\quad b. \(f\) is convex and the set of its critical points is unbounded. \smallbreak\quad c. \(\int_Me^{-f}\mathrm {dvol}_{\mathcal{M}}=+\infty\). \smallbreak\quad d. There is a point of \(M\) where the \(f\)-Ricci curvature is strictly positive. \smallbreak\quad e. There is a point of \(M\) where \(\mathrm {Ric}_{f,\mathcal{M}}(X,X)=0\) implies \(X=0\). \smallbreak\noindent (II) If the sectional curvature of \(\mathcal{N}\) is strictly negative, then \(u\) is homotopic either to a constant map or to a totally geodesic map whose image is contained in a geodesic of \(N\).