An improved eigenvalue estimate for embedded minimal hypersurfaces in the sphere

Abstract

Suppose that $\Sigma^n\subset\mathbb{S}^{n+1}$ is a closed embedded minimal hypersurface. We prove that the first non-zero eigenvalue $\lambda_1$ of the induced Laplace-Beltrami operator on $\Sigma$ satisfies $\lambda_1 \geq \frac{n}{2}+ a_n(\Lambda^6 + b_n)^{-1}$, where $a_n$ and $b_n$ are explicit dimensional constants and $\Lambda$ is an upper bound for the length of the second fundamental form of $\Sigma$. This provides the first explicitly computable improvement on Choi & Wang's lower bound $\lambda_1 \geq \frac{n}{2}$ without any further assumptions on $\Sigma$.