Suppose you know that $\Delta V=o(|\nabla V|^2)$ as $|x|\to\infty$. This implies that for any $\theta\in(0,1)$ you have eventually the inequality $\Delta V\le \theta|\nabla V|^2$. Then for any eventually increasing function $\phi$, if you take $U=\phi(V)$ your expression is bounded below by $$ |\nabla V|^2((1-\alpha\theta)\phi'-\alpha \phi''). $$ Then you can play wiyh the choice of $\phi$. For instance, if $\phi''=o(\phi')$ and $\phi'>c>0$ you are done.
Piero D'Ancona
- 9k
- 1
- 33
- 57