Principal frequencies of free non-homogeneous membranes and Sobolev extension operators

Abstract

Using the quasiconformal mappings theory and Sobolev extension operators, we obtain estimates of principal frequencies of free non-homogeneous membranes. The suggested approach is based on connections between divergence form elliptic operators and quasiconformal mappings. Free non-homogeneous membranes we consider as circular membranes in the quasiconformal geometry associated with non-homogeneity of membranes. As a consequence we get a connection between principal frequencies of free membranes and the smallest-circle problem (initially suggested by J.~J. Sylvester in 1857).