Maximum capacity of Bartnik data and a generalization of static metrics

TL;DR

This paper explores the maximum capacity problem in asymptotically flat extensions of boundary data in general relativity, deriving a new generalized static equation and analyzing harmonic-static metrics.

Contribution

It introduces a dual maximization problem to Bartnik's mass minimization, deriving a novel inhomogeneous static equation coupled with stress-energy tensor.

Findings

Derived variational condition for maximal capacity extensions

Identified harmonic-static metrics with constant scalar curvature

Proved these metrics are critical points of a Dirichlet energy functional

Abstract

Inspired by R. Bartnik's mass minimization problem in general relativity, we investigate a dual problem of maximizing the capacity among asymptotically flat extensions (with nonnegative scalar curvature) of some fixed two-dimensional boundary data. Using the method of Lagrange multipliers on the constraint space of scalar-flat extensions, we derive the variational condition satisfied by a maximal capacity extension. The resulting equation is an inhomogeneous generalization of the well-known static equation, now coupled with the Baird--Eells stress-energy tensor for a harmonic function. We analyze these ``harmonic-static'' metrics in a local sense, proving they have constant scalar curvature and serve as critical points for a metric-dependent Dirichlet energy functional. We conclude with a number of open questions.