Existence of closed embedded curves of constant curvature via min-max

Abstract

We find conditions under which Almgren-Pitts min-max for the prescribed geodesic curvature functional in a closed oriented Riemannian surface produces a closed embedded curve of constant curvature. In particular, we find a closed embedded curve of any prescribed constant curvature in any metric on $S^2$ with $1/8$-pinched Gaussian curvature.