In this paper, by meticulously constructing a minimizing sequence within a suitable Sobolev space and leveraging the variational principle, we establish that the first non-zero eigenvalue of the Laplace-Beltrami operator on an embedded minimal hypersurface in the unit sphere equals the dimension of the hypersurface. This result furnishes an affirmative resolution to a renowned conjecture posed by Yau, which had remained unresolved for an extended period. As some important applications, several rigidity theorems are established via eigenvalue characterization.
Lingzhong Zeng (Fri,) studied this question.