Equivariant Solutions to the Optimal Partition Problem for the Prescribed Q-Curvature Equation

Abstract

We study the optimal partition problem for the prescribed constant Q-curvature equation induced by the higher-order conformal operators under the effect of cohomogeneity one actions on Einstein manifolds with positive scalar curvature. This allows us to give a precise description of the solution domains and their boundaries in terms of the orbits of the action. We also prove the existence of least energy symmetric solutions to a weakly coupled elliptic system of prescribed Q-curvature equations under weaker assumptions and conclude a multiplicity result of sign-changing solutions to the prescribed constant Q-curvature problem induced by the Paneitz-Branson operator. Moreover, we study the coercivity of GJMS operators on Ricci solitons, compute the Q-curvature of these manifolds, and give a multiplicity result for the sign-changing solutions to the Yamabe problem with a prescribed number of nodal domains on the Koiso–Cao Ricci soliton.