Multivariate convexity preserving interpolation by smooth functions

A set of multivariate data is called strictly convex if there exists a strictly convex interpolant to these data. In this paper we characterize strict convexity of Lagrange and Hermite multivariate data by a simple property and show that for strict convex data and given smoothness requirements there exists a smooth strictly convex interpolant. We also show how to construct a multivariate convex smooth interpolant to scattered data. Partially supported by DGICYT PS93-0310 and by the EC project CHRX-CT94-0522.