Masse des op\'erateurs GJMS

Abstract

This work generalizes a construction by Habermann and Jost of a canonical metric in a Yamabe-positive conformal class, which uses the Green function of the conformal Laplacian. In dimension $n=2k+1$, $2k+2$, or $2k+3$, if the $k$-th GJMS operator $P_k$ admits a Green function, the constant term of its singularity is shown to be a conformal density of weight $2k-n$, when restricted to appropriate choices of conformal factor. When it is positive, it is used to build a canonical metric in the conformal class. In the case of the Paneitz-Branson operator $P_2$, in dimension 5, 6 or 7, we show a positiveness result. In additition, we relate it to an asymptotic invariant of the manifold obtained by stereographic projection via the Green function.