An existence theorem for solutions to a model problem with Yamabe-positive metric for conformal parameterizations of the Einstein constraint equations

Abstract

We use the conformal method to investigate solutions of the vacuum Einstein constraint equations on a manifold with a Yamabe-positive metric. To do so, we develop a model problem with symmetric data on Sn⁻¹ x S¹. We specialize the model problem to a two-parameter family of conformal data, and find that no solutions exist when the transverse-traceless tensor is identically zero. When the transverse traceless tensor is nonzero, we observe an existence theorem in both the near-constant mean curvature and far-from-constant mean curvature regimes.