The Einstein Constraint Equations on Asymptotically Euclidean Manifolds

Abstract: In this dissertation, we prove a number of results regarding the conformal method of finding solutions to the Einstein constraint equations. These results include necessary and sufficient conditions for the Lichnerowicz equation to have solutions, global supersolutions which guarantee solutions to the conformal constraint equations for near-constant-mean-curvature (near-CMC) data as well as for far-from-CMC data, a proof of the limit equation criterion in the near-CMC case, as well as a model problem on the relationship between the asymptotic constants of solutions and the ADM mass. We also prove a characterization of the Yamabe classes on asymptotically Euclidean manifolds and resolve the (conformally) prescribed scalar curvature problem on asymptotically Euclidean manifolds for the case of nonpositive scalar curvatures. Many, though not all, of the results in this dissertation have been previously published in [Dilts13b], [DIMM14], [DL14], [DM15], and [DGI15]. This article is the author's Ph.D. dissertation, except for a few minor changes.