A Paneitz-Branson type equation with Neumann boundary conditions

Abstract

We consider the best constant in a critical Sobolev inequality of second order. We show non-rigidity for the optimizers above a certain threshold, namely we prove that the best constant is achieved by a non-constant solution of the associated fourth-order elliptic problem under Neumann boundary conditions. Our arguments rely on asymptotic estimates of the Rayleigh quotient. We also show rigidity below another threshold.

23 pages. To appear in Adv. Cal. Var