Maximal spectral surfaces of revolution converge to a catenoid

Abstract

We consider a maximization problem for eigenvalues of the Laplace-Beltrami operator on surfaces of revolution in $\mathbb{R}^3$ with two prescribed boundary components. For every $j$, we show that there is a surface $\Sigma_j$ which maximizes the $j$-th Dirichlet eigenvalue. The maximizing surface has a meridian which is a rectifiable curve. If there is a catenoid which is the unique area minimizing surface with the prescribed boundary, then the eigenvalue maximizing surfaces of revolution converge to this catenoid.