On the prescribing σ₂ curvature equation on S⁴

Prescribing σ_k curvature equations are fully nonlinear generalizations of the prescribing Gaussian or scalar curvature equations. For a given a positive function K to be prescribed on the 4-dimensional round sphere, we obtain asymptotic profile analysis for potentially blowing up solutions to the σ₂ curvature equation with the given K; and rule out the possibility of blowing up solutions when K satisfies a non-degeneracy condition. Under the same non-degeneracy condition on K, we also prove uniform a priori estimates for solutions to a family of σ₂ curvature equations deforming K to a positive constant; and under an additional, natural degree condition on a finite dimensional map associated with K, we prove the existence of a solution to the σ₂ curvature equation with the given K using a degree argument involving fully nonlinear elliptic operators to the above deformation.