Let $(X,\alpha)$ be a K\"ahler manifold of dimension $n$, and let $[\omega] \in H^{1,1}(X,\mathbb{R})$. We study the problem of specifying the Lagrangian phase of $\omega$ with respect to $\alpha$, which is described by the nonlinear elliptic equation \[ \sum_{i=1}^{n} \arctan(\la_i)= h(x) \] where $\la_i$ are the eigenvalues of $\omega$ with respect to $\alpha$. When $h(x)$ is a topological constant, this equation corresponds to the deformed Hermitian-Yang-Mills (dHYM) equation, and is related by Mirror Symmetry to the existence of special Lagrangian submanifolds of the mirror. We introduce a notion of subsolution for this equation, and prove a priori $C^{2,\beta}$ estimates when $|h|>(n-2)\frac{\pi}{2}$ and a subsolution exists. Using the method of continuity we show that the dHYM equation admits a smooth solution in the supercritical phase case, whenever a subsolution exists. Finally, we discover some stability-type cohomological obstructions to the existence of solutions to the dHYM equation and we conjecture that when these obstructions vanish the dHYM equation admits a solution. We confirm this conjecture for complex surfaces.

We study the deformed Hermitian-Yang-Mills (dHYM) equation, which is mirror to the special Lagrangian equation, from the variational point of view via an infinite dimensional GIT problem mirror to Thomas' GIT picture for special Lagrangians. This gives rise to infinite dimensional manifold $\mathcal{H}$ mirror to Solomon's space of positive Lagrangians. In the hypercritical phase case we prove the existence of smooth approximate geodesics, and weak geodesics with $C^{1,\alpha}$ regularity. This is accomplished by proving sharp with respect to scale estimates for the Lagrangian phase operator on collapsing manifolds with boundary. We apply these results to the infinite dimensional GIT problem for deformed Hermitian-Yang-Mills. We associate algebraic invariants to certain birational models of $X\times \Delta$, where $\Delta \subset \mathbb{C}$ is a disk. Using the existence of regular weak geodesics we prove that these invariants give rise to obstructions to the existence of solutions to the dHYM equation. Furthermore, we show that these invariants fit into a stability framework closely related to Bridgeland stability. Finally, we use a Fourier-Mukai transform on toric K\"ahler manifolds to describe degenerations of Lagrangian sections of SYZ torus fibrations of Landau-Ginzburg models $(Y,W)$. We speculate on the resulting algebraic invariants, and discuss the implications for relating Bridgeland stability to the existence of special Lagrangian sections of $(Y,W)$.

In this paper, we derive estimates for scalar curvature type equations with more singular right hand side. As an application, we prove Donaldson's conjecture on the equivalence between geodesic stability and existence of cscK when $Aut_0(M,J)\neq0$. Moreover, we show that when $Aut_0(M,J)\neq0$, the properness of $K$-energy with respect to a suitably defined distance implies the existence of cscK.

In this paper, we generalize our apriori estimates on cscK(constant scalar curvature K\"ahler) metric equation \cite{cc1} to more general scalar curvature type equations (e.g., twisted cscK metric equation). As applications, under the assumption that the automorphism group is discrete, we prove the celebrated Donaldson's conjecture that the non-existence of cscK metric is equivalent to the existence of a destabilized geodesic ray where the $K$-energy is non-increasing. Moreover, we prove that the properness of $K$-energy in terms of $L^1$ geodesic distance $d_1$ in the space of K\"ahler potentials implies the existence of cscK metric. Finally, we prove that weak minimizers of the $K$-energy in $(\mathcal{E}^1, d_1)$ are smooth. The continuity path proposed in \cite{chen15} is instrumental in this proof.

In this paper, we derive apriori estimates for constant scalar curvature K\"ahler metrics on a compact K\"ahler manifold. We show that higher order derivatives can be estimated in terms of a $C^0$ bound for the K\"ahler potential. We also discuss some local versions of these estimates which can be of independent interest.