Searcharxiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/arXiv

arXiv · 2609.21964

The Y-partition is the optimal three-partition for the disc and the harmonic oscillator

Mikael Sundqvist
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

We prove that the Y-partition into three equal sectors is the minimal spectral three-partition both for the Dirichlet Laplacian on the unit disc and for the planar harmonic oscillator $-Δ+|x|^2$, with minimal energies $j_{3/2,1}^{2}$ and $5$; for the disc, this confirms a conjecture of Helffer and Hoffmann-Ostenhof. The minimizing regular strong partition is unique up to rotation, and every open minimizing partition has cells with the Dirichlet form domains of the sectors. The proof is a positive radial transplantation to the sphere that preserves segregation and matches the angular-energy measures of the separated model states; the three-lune theorem of Helffer, Hoffmann-Ostenhof, and Terracini then gives the lower bound. The transplantation lowers the shifted quadratic form by a nonnegative defect with strictly positive radial weight; in the equality case, spherical equipartition makes the defects vanish, which separates variables, and a Poincaré inequality on the circle identifies the sectors.

Explore related subjects

math.SP

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Mikael Sundqvist. 2026-09-18. The Y-partition is the optimal three-partition for the disc and the harmonic oscillator. https://arxiv.org/abs/2609.21964

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

arXiv2026

Critical almost Mathieu operator: hidden singularity, gap continuity, and the Hausdorff dimension of the spectrum

We obtain a representation of the critical almost Mathieu family as a Jacobi matrix that has a singularity. This allows us to prove that the Hausdorff dimension of its spectrum is not larger than 1/2 for all irrational frequencies, solving a long-standing problem. Other corollaries include two very short proofs of zero measure of the spectrum (e.g. Problem 5 in B. Simon's list of the 21'st century problems). We also obtain continuity of the measure of the spectrum for general singular Jacobi matrices, and prove a similar Hausdorff dimension result for the quantum graph graphene.

math.SP↗
arXiv2026

Sharp bounds for higher mixed Steklov-Robin eigenvalues on domains with holes

This article is concerned with mixed Steklov--Robin eigenvalues on bounded domains in $\mathbb{R}^{n}, n \geq 2$, with Lipschitz boundary. Specifically, we consider domains with symmetry of order $4$ containing a spherical hole. We obtain isoperimetric inequalities for the $k$-th Steklov-Robin eigenvalues for each $k \in \{2, 3, \dots, n+1\}$. We provide examples to emphasize the fact that the symmetry assumptions, on the family of domains considered, are crucial.

math.SP↗
arXiv2026

Steklov isospectrality of conformal metrics

The Steklov spectrum of a smooth compact Riemannian manifold $(M,g)$ with boundary is the set of eigenvalues counted with multiplicities of its Dirichlet-to-Neumann map. (DN map) This article is devoted to the Steklov spectral inverse problem of recovering the metric $g$, up to natural gauge invariance, from its Steklov spectrum. Positive results are established in dimension $n\geq 3$ for conformal metrics under the assumption that the geodesic flow on the boundary is Anosov with simple length spectrum. The paper combines wave trace formula techniques with the injectivity of the geodesic X-ray transform for functions on closed Anosov manifolds. It is shown that knowledge of the Steklov spectrum determines the jet at the boundary of the underlying Riemannian metric within its conformal class. In this particular context, this parallels the well-known results of the Calderón problem, where we are given the entire Dirichlet-to-Neumann map instead. As a simple corollary, assuming real-analyticity of the conformal factor, Steklov isospectral metrics must coincide. Using similar arguments, we are also able to prove under the same assumption of hyperbolicity of the geodesic flow on the boundary, that generically any smooth potential $q$ can be recovered from the Steklov spectrum, in the sense that its jet at the boundary is determined by the spectrum of the DN map for the Schrödinger operator with potential $q$. Consequently, in this case, two analytic Steklov isospectral potentials must be equal.

math.SP↗