Two inequalities for convex equipotential surfaces

Abstract

We establish two geometric inequalities, respectively, for harmonic functions in exterior Dirichlet problems, and for Green's functions in interior Dirichlet problems, where the boundary surfaces are smooth and convex. Both inequalities involve integrals over the mean curvature and the Gaussian curvature on an equipotential surface, and the normal derivative of the harmonic potential thereupon. These inequalities generalize a geometric conservation law for equipotential curves in dimension two, and offer solutions to two free boundary problems in three-dimensional electrostatics.