The mean curvature flow is an evolution process under which a submanifold deforms in the direction of its mean curvature vector. The hypersurface case has been much studied since the eighties. Recently, several theorems on regularity, global existence and convergence of the flow in various ambient spaces and codimensions were proved. We shall explain the results obtained as well as the techniques involved. The potential applications in symplectic topology and mirror symmetry will also be discussed.
We study high codimension mean curvature flow of a submanifold $\mathcal{M}^n$ of dimension $n$ in Euclidean space $\mathbb{R}^{n+k}$ subject to the quadratic curvature condition $ |A|^{2}\leq c_n |H|^{2}, c _n = \min\{ \frac{4}{3n} , \frac{1}{n-2}\}$. This condition extends the notion of two-convexity for hypersurfaces to high codimension submanifolds. We analyse singularity formation in the mean curvature flow of high codimension by directly proving a pointwise gradient estimate. We then show that near a singularity the surface is quantitatively cylindrical.
In this paper, we first investigate the integral curvature condition to extend the mean curvature flow of submanifolds in a Riemannian manifold with codimension $d\geq1$, which generalizes the extension theorem for the mean curvature flow of hypersurfaces due to Le-Šešum \cite{LS} and the authors \cite{XYZ1,XYZ2}. Using the extension theorem, we prove two convergence theorems for the mean curvature flow of closed submanifolds in ${R}^{n+d}$ under suitable integral curvature conditions.
We study the mean curvature flow of smooth $n$-dimensional compact submanifolds with quadratic pinching in a Riemannian manifold $\mathcal{N}^{n+m}$. Our main focus is on the case of high codimension, $m\geq 2$. We establish a codimension estimate that shows in regions of high curvature, the submanifold becomes approximately codimension one in a quantifiable way. This estimate enables us to prove at a singular time of the flow, there exists a rescaling that converges to a smooth codimension-one limiting flow in Euclidean space. Under a cylindrical type pinching, this limiting flow is weakly co…
We prove long-time existence for mean curvature flow of a smooth $n$-dimensional spacelike submanifold of an $n+m$ dimensional manifold whose metric satisfies the timelike curvature condition.
We establish area bounds for two-dimensional immersions in R^3 and R^n. Namely, for μ-stable immersions in R^3 (R^n), for graphs in $\mathbb R^3$ which solve quasilinear equations in divergence form, and for graphs which are critical for Fermat-type variational problems in R^n.
We prove a splitting theorem for complete gradient Ricci soliton with nonnegative curvature and establish a rigidity theorem for codimension one complete shrinking gradient Ricci soliton in $\mathbb R^{n+1}$ with nonnegative Ricci curvature.
Let f:Σ_1 --> Σ_2 be a map between compact Riemannian manifolds of constant curvature. This article considers the evolution of the graph of f in the product of Σ_1 and Σ_2 by the mean curvature flow. Under suitable conditions on the curvature of Σ_1 and Σ_2 and the differential of the initial map, we show that the flow exists smoothly for all time. At each instant t, the flow remains the graph of a map f_t and f_t converges to a constant map as t approaches infinity. This also provides a regularity estimate for Lipschtz initial data.
Motivated by the limiting behavior of an explicit class of compact ancient curve shortening flows, we prove codimension bounds for ancient mean curvature flows by their tangent flow at $-\infty$, generalizing a theorem for cylinders in [CM19b]. In the case of the $m$-covered circle, we apply this bound to prove a strong rigidity theorem. Furthermore, we extend this paradigm by showing that under the assumption of sufficiently rapid convergence, a compact ancient mean curvature flow is identical to its tangent flow at $-\infty$.
The purpose of this article is to examine the possible shapes of type I singularities that form in the mean curvature flow of submanifolds of arbitrary codimension, assuming that the initial submanifold satisfies a particular curvature pinching condition.
The objet of this paper is the study of variations of a functional whose integrant is the $σ_u$-curvature of closed submanifolds of arbitrary codimension in Riemannian manifolds.
We derive curvature estimates for minimal submanifolds in Euclidean space for arbitrary dimension and codimension via Gauss map. Thus, Schoen-Simon-Yau's results and Ecker-Huisken's results are generalized to higher codimension. In this way we improve Hildebrandt-Jost-Widman's result for the Bernstein type theorem.
Existence of disks with prescribed mean curvature and contact angle in arbitrary codimension
School of Mathematics and Statistics, Shaanxi Normal University（陕西师范大学数学与统计学院）；School of Mathematical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University（上海交通大学数学科学学院）
We derive pointwise curvature estimates for graphical mean curvature flows in higher codimensions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such estimates without assuming smallness of first derivatives of the defining map. An immediate application is a convergence theorem of the mean curvature flow of the graph of an area decreasing map between flat Riemann surfaces.
In this paper, we prove a classification theorem for self-shrinkers of the mean curvature flow with $|A|^2\le 1$ in arbitrary codimension. In particular, this implies a gap theorem for self-shrinkers in arbitrary codimension.
In this paper we investigate the convergence for the mean curvature flow of closed submanifolds with arbitrary codimension in space forms. Particularly, we prove that the mean curvature flow deforms a closed submanifold satisfying a pinching condition in a hyperbolic space form to a round point in finite time.
We prove that if $n$ is even, $(M,g)$ is a compact $n$-dimensional Riemannian manifold whose Pfaffian form is a positive multiple of the volume form, and $y\in C^{1,α}(M;\mathbb{R}^{n+1})$ is an isometric immersion with $n/(n+1)< α\leq 1$, then $y(M)$ is a surface of bounded extrinsic curvature. This is proved by showing that extrinsic curvature, defined by a suitable pull-back of the volume form on the $n$-sphere via the Gauss map, is identical to intrinsic curvature, defined by the Pfaffian form. This latter fact is stated in form of an integral identity for the Brouwer degree of the Gauss m…
We consider a variational problem for submanifolds Q $\subset$ M with nonempty boundary $\partial$Q = K. We propose the definition that the boundary K of any critical point Q have constant mean curvature, which seems to be a new perspective when dim Q \textless{} dim M . We then construct small nearly-spherical solutions of this higher codimension CMC prob-lem; these concentrate near the critical points of a certain curvature function.
In this article, using the generalized Newton transformation, we define higher order mean curvatures of distributions of arbitrary codimension and we show that they agree with the ones from Brito and Naveira (Ann. Global Anal. Geom. 18, 371-383 (2000)). We also introduce higher order mean curvature vector fields and we compute their divergence for certain distributions and using this we obtain total extrinsic mean curvatures.
In this text we outline the major techniques, concepts and results in mean curvature flow with a focus on higher codimension. In addition we include a few novel results and some material that cannot be found elsewhere.
We obtain new curvature estimates and Bernstein type results for minimal $n-$submanifolds in $\ir{n+m},\, m\ge 2$ under the condition that the rank of its Gauss map is at most 2. In particular, this applies to minimal surfaces in Euclidean spaces of arbitrary codimension.
We investigate the convergence of the mean curvature flow of arbitrary codimension in Riemannian manifolds with bounded geometry. We prove that if the initial submanifold satisfies a pinching condition, then along the mean curvature flow the submanifold contracts smoothly to a round point in finite time. As a consequence we obtain a differentiable sphere theorem for submanifolds in a Riemannian manifold.
In this paper, we investigate Liu-Xu-Ye-Zhao's conjecture [30] and prove a sharp convergence theorem for the mean curvature flow of arbitrary codimension in spheres which improves the convergence theorem of Baker [2] as well as the differentiable sphere theorems of Gu-Xu-Zhao [16, 50, 52].
We consider the evolution by mean curvature of smooth $n$-dimensional submanifolds in $\mathbb{R}^{n+k}$ which are compact and quadratically pinched. We will be primarily interested in flows of high codimension, the case $k\geq 2$. We prove that our submanifold is asymptotically convex, that is the first eigenvalue of the second fundamental form in the principal mean curvature direction blows up at a strictly slower rate than the mean curvature vector. We use this convexity estimate to show that at a singular time of the flow, there exists a rescaling that converges to a smooth codimension-one…
In this paper, we investigate the mean curvature flow of submanifolds of arbitrary codimension in $\mathbb{C}\mathbb{P}^m$. We prove that if the initial submanifold satisfies a pinching condition, then the mean curvature flow converges to a round point in finite time, or converges to a totally geodesic submanifold as $t \rightarrow \infty$. Consequently, we obtain a new differentiable sphere theorem for submanifolds in $\mathbb{C}\mathbb{P}^m$. Our work improves the convergence theorem for mean curvature flow due to Pipoli and Sinestrari {\cite{PiSi2015}}.
The Gaussian curvature $K$ is a fundamental geometric quantity discovered by Gauss in the case of surfaces embedded in $\mathbb{R}^3$. One can naturally extend the definition of the Gaussian curvature to arbitrary submanifolds of $\mathbb{R}^k$ so that the extrinsic interpretation of $K$, the Theorema Egregium and the Gauss-Bonnet Theorem still hold. We give a concise exposition of these classical facts.
In this paper, we prove that if the initial submanifold $M_0$ of dimension $n(\ge6)$ satisfies an optimal pinching condition, then the mean curvature flow of arbitrary codimension in hyperbolic spaces converges to a round point in finite time. In particular, we obtain the optimal differentiable sphere theorem for submanifolds in hyperbolic spaces. It should be emphasized that our pinching condition implies that the Ricci curvature of the initial submanifold is positive, but does not imply positivity of the sectional curvature of $M_0$.
For hypersurfaces of dimension greater than one, Huisken showed that compact self-shrinkers of the mean curvature flow with positive scalar mean curvature are spheres. We will prove the following extension: A compact self-similar solution in arbitrary codimension and of dimension greater than one is spherical, i.e. contained in a sphere, if and only if the mean curvature vector \be H\ee is non-vanishing and the principal normal \beν\ee is parallel in the normal bundle. We also give a classification of complete noncompact self-shrinkers of that type.
In dimensions $n \geq 5$, we prove a canonical neighborhood theorem for the mean curvature flow of compact $n$-dimensional submanifolds in $\mathbb{R}^N$ satisfying a pinching condition $|A|^2 < c|H|^2$ for $c = \min \{ \frac{3(n+1)}{2n(n+2)},\frac{1}{n-2}\}.$
We prove that for a mean curvature flow of a compact symplectic surface in a compact Kaehler-Einstein surface, the tangent cone at the first blow-up time consists of a finite union of more than two 2-planes in $R^4$ which are complex in a complex structure on $R^4$.
Mean curvature flows of hypersurfaces have been extensively studied and there are various different approaches and many beautiful results. However, relatively little is known about mean curvature flows of submanifolds of higher codimensions. This notes starts with some basic materials on submanifold geometry, and then introduces mean curvature flows in general dimensions and co-dimensions. The related techniques in the so called "blow-up" analysis are also discussed. At the end, we present some global existence and convergence results for mean curvature flows of two-dimensional surfaces in fou…
We study solutions of high codimension mean curvature flow defined for all negative times, usually referred to as ancient solutions. We show that any compact ancient solution whose second fundamental form satisfies a certain natural pinching condition must be a family of shrinking spheres. Andrews and Baker have shown that initial submanifolds satisfying this pinching condition, which generalises the notion of convexity, converge to round points under the flow. As an application, we use our result to simplify their proof.
In this paper we prove that a complete noncompact manifold with nonnegative Ricci curvature has a trivial codimension one homology unless it is a split or flat normal bundle over a compact totally geodesic submanifold. In particular, we prove the conjecture that a complete noncompact manifold with positive Ricci curvature has a trivial codimension one integer homology. We also have a corollary stating when the codimension two integer homology of such a manifold is torsion free.
In this paper, we are concerned with the regularity of noncollapsed Riemannian manifolds $(M^n,g)$ with bounded Ricci curvature, as well as their Gromov-Hausdorff limit spaces $(M^n_j,d_j)\stackrel{d_{GH}}{\longrightarrow} (X,d)$, where $d_j$ denotes the Riemannian distance. Our main result is a solution to the codimension $4$ conjecture, namely that $X$ is smooth away from a closed subset of codimension $4$. We combine this result with the ideas of quantitative stratification to prove a priori $L^q$ estimates on the full curvature $|Rm|$ for all $q<2$. In the case of Einstein manifolds, we im…
We provide a parametric construction in terms of minimal surfaces of the Euclidean submanifolds of codimension two and arbitrary dimension that attain equality in an inequality due to De Smet, Dillen, Verstraelen and Vrancken. The latter involves the scalar curvature, the norm of the normal curvature tensor and the length of the mean curvature vector.
The study of the mean curvature flow from the perspective of partial differential equations began with Gerhard Huisken's pioneering work in 1984. Since that time, the mean curvature flow of hypersurfaces has been a lively area of study. Although Huisken's seminal paper is now just over twenty-five years old, the study of the mean curvature flow of submanifolds of higher codimension has only recently started to receive attention. The mean curvature flow of submanifolds is the main object of investigation in this thesis, and indeed, the central results we obtain can be considered as high codimen…
In this survey, we will focus on the mean curvature flow theory with sphere theorems, and discuss the recent developments on the convergence theorems for the mean curvature flow of arbitrary codimension inspired by the Yau rigidity theory of submanifolds. Several new differentiable sphere theorems for submanifolds are obtained as consequences of the convergence theorems for the mean curvature flow. It should be emphasized that Theorem 4.1 is an optimal convergence theorem for the mean curvature flow of arbitrary codimension, which implies the first optimal differentiable sphere theorem for sub…
We construct a class of compact ancient solutions to the mean curvature flow in Euclidean space with high codimension. In particular, we construct higher codimensional ancient curve shortening flows. Moreover, we characterize the asymptotic behavior of these solutions. Add on remark: the construction in this paper has been discovered by Altschuler D.-Altschuler S.-Angenent-Wu in [AAAW13].
We consider ancient solutions to the mean curvature flow in $\mathbb{R}^{n+1}$ ($n \geq 3$) that are weakly convex, uniformly two-convex, and satisfy derivative estimates $|\nabla A| \leq γ_1 |H|^2, |\nabla^2 A| \leq γ_2 |H|^3$. We show that such solutions are noncollapsed. As an application, in arbitrary codimension, we consider compact $n$-dimensional ($n \geq 5$) solutions to the mean curvature flow in $\mathbb{R}^N$ that satisfy the pinching condition $|H| > 0$ and $|A|^2 < c(n) |H|^2$, $c(n) = \min\{\frac{1}{n-2}, \frac{3(n+1)}{2n(n+2)}\}$. We conclude that any blow-up model at the first …
In this paper, we formulate the notion of the $\mathcal{F}$-stability of self-shrinking solutions to mean curvature flow in arbitrary codimension. Then we give some classifications of the $\mathcal{F}$-stable self-shrinkers in arbitrary codimension, in codimension one case, our results reduce to Colding-Minicozzi's results.
We show uniqueness of cylindrical blowups for mean curvature flow in all dimension and all codimension. Cylindrical singularities are known to be the most important; they are the most prevalent in any codimension. Mean curvature flow in higher codimension is a nonlinear parabolic system where many of the methods used for hypersurfaces do not apply and uniqueness of cylindrical blowups remained a major open problem. Our results imply regularity of the singular set for the system.
Integral formulae for foliated Riemannian manifolds provide obstructions for existence of foliations or compact leaves of them with given geometric properties. This paper continues our recent study and presents new integral formulae and their applications for codimension-one foliated Randers spaces. The goal is a generalization of Reeb's formula (that the total mean curvature of the leaves is zero) and its companion (that twice total second mean curvature of the leaves equals to the total Ricci curvature in the normal direction). We also extend results by Brito, Langevin and Rosenberg (that to…
In this paper, we prove convergence of the high codimension mean curvature flow in the sphere to either a round point or a totally geodesic sphere assuming a pinching condition between the norm squared of the second fundamental form and the norm squared of the mean curvature and the background curvature of the sphere. We show that this pinching is sharp for dimension $n\geq 4$ but is not sharp for dimension $n=2,3$. For dimension $n=2$ and codimension $2$, we consider an alternative pinching condition which includes the normal curvature of the normal bundle. Finally, we sharpen the Chern-do Ca…
In this paper, we prove some convergence theorems for the mean curvature flow of closed submanifolds in the unit sphere $\mathbb{S}^{n+d}$ under integral curvature conditions. As a consequence, we obtain several differentiable sphere theorems for certain submanifolds in $\mathbb{S}^{n+d}$.
