A maximum rank problem for degenerate elliptic fully nonlinear equations

Abstract

The solutions to the Dirichlet problem for two degenerate elliptic fully nonlinear equations in $n+1$ dimensions, namely the real Monge-Amp\`ere equation and the Donaldson equation, are shown to have maximum rank in the space variables when $n \leq 2$. A constant rank property is also established for the Donaldson equation when $n=3$.