Differential Harnack estimates for backward heat equations with potentials under the Ricci flow

In this paper, we derive a general evolution formula for possible Harnack quantities. As a consequence, we prove several differential Harnack inequalities for positive solutions of backward heat-type equations with potentials (including the conjugate heat equation) under the Ricci flow.We shall also derive Perelman’s Harnack inequality for the fundamental solution of the conjugate heat equation under the Ricci flow. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.