On $n$-superharmonic functions and some geometric applications

Abstract

In this paper we study asymptotic behavior of $n$-superharmonic functions at isolated singularity using the Wolff potential and $n$-capacity estimates in nonlinear potential theory. Our results are inspired by and extend those of Arsove-Huber and Taliaferro in 2 dimensions. To study $n$-superharmonic functions we use a new notion of $n$-thinness by $n$-capacity motivated by a type of Wiener criterion in Arsove-Huber's paper. To extend Taliaferro's work, we employ the Adams-Moser-Trudinger inequality for the Wolff potential, which is inspired by the one used by Brezis-Merle. For geometric applications, we study the asymptotic end behavior of complete conformally flat manifolds as well as complete properly embedded hypersurfaces in hyperbolic space. In both geometric applications the strong $n$-capacity lower bound estimate of Gehring in 1961 is brilliantly used. These geometric applications seem to elevate the importance of $n$-Laplace equations and make a closer tie to the classic analysis developed in conformal geometry in general dimensions.