First-eigenvalue maximization and inflation of maps

Given a compact manifold equipped with a volume element and a Riemannian metric, we formulate and study a dual pair of optimization problems: one concerning smooth maps from the manifold into the Hilbert space $l^2$ and the other concerning the smallest positive eigenvalue of the Bakry-Emery Laplacian. We present examples of manifolds for which these problems can be solved explicitly. We also prove a Nadirashvili-type theorem.