Upper bounds for the first eigenvalue of the operator $L\sb r$ and some applications

Abstract

We obtain upper bounds for the first eigenvalue of the linearized operator $L_r$ of the $r$-mean curvature of a compact manifold immersed in a space of constant curvature $\delta$. By the same method, we obtain an upper bound for the first eigenvalue of the stability operator associated to $L_r$ when $\delta < 0$.