Extremal of Log Sobolev inequality and W entropy on noncompact manifolds

Let M be a complete, connected noncompact manifold with bounded geometry. Under a condition near infinity, we prove that the Log Sobolev functional (1.1) has an extremal function decaying exponentially near infinity. We also prove that an extremal function may not exist if the condition is violated. This result has the following consequences. 1. It seems to give the first example of connected, complete manifolds with bounded geometry where a standard Log Sobolev inequality does not have an extremal. 2. It gives a negative answer to the open question on the existence of extremal of Perelman’s W entropy in the noncompact case, which was stipulated by Perelman (2002) [22, p. 9, 3.2 Remark]. 3. It helps to prove, in some cases, that noncompact shrinking breathers of Ricci flow are gradient shrinking solitons. © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.