Heat Kernel on Smooth Metric Measure Spaces with Nonnegative Curvature

Abstract

We derive a local Gaussian upper bound for the $f$-heat kernel on complete smooth metric measure space $(M,g,e^{-f}dv)$ with nonnegative Bakry-Émery Ricci curvature, which generalizes the classic Li-Yau estimate. As applications, we obtain a sharp $L_f^1$-Liouville theorem for $f$-subharmonic functions and an $L_f^1$-uniqueness property for nonnegative solutions of the $f$-heat equation, assuming $f$ is of at most quadratic growth. In particular, any $L_f^1$-integrable $f$-subharmonic function on gradient shrinking or steady Ricci solitons must be constant. We also provide explicit $f$-heat kernel for Gaussian solitons.

Revised version. Math. Annalen, to appear