A rigidity theorem for a space-like graph¶of higher codimension

We prove a rigidity theorem for a space-like graph with parallel mean curvature of arbitrary dimension and codimension in pseudo-Euclidean space via properties of its harmonic Gauss map. We also give an estimate of the squared norm of the second fundamental form in terms of the mean curvature and the image diameter under the Gauss map for space-like submanifolds with parallel mean curvature in pseudo-Euclidean space. The estimate also implies the former theorem. Received: 10 December 1999     

A Bernstein theorem for complete spacelike constant mean curvature hypersurfaces in Minkowski space

We obtain a gradient estimate for the Gauss maps from complete spacelike constant mean curvature hypersurfaces in Minkowski space into the hyperbolic space. As an application, we prove a Bernstein theorem which says that if the image of the Gauss map is bounded from one side, then the spacelike constant mean curvature hypersurface must be linear. This result extends the previous theorems obtained by B. Palmer [Pa] and Y.L. Xin [Xin1] where they assume that the image of the Gauss map is bounded. We also prove a Bernstein theorem for spacelike complete surfaces with parallel mean curvature vector in four-dimensional spaces. Received July 4, 1997 / Accepted October 9, 1997     

WEIERSTRASS REPRESENTATION FORSURFACES WITH PRESCRIBED NORMALGAUSS MAP AND GAUSS CURVATURE IN H~3

The author obtains a Weierstrass representation for surfaces with prescribed normal Gauss map and Gauss curvature in H3. A differential equation about the hyperbolic Gauss map is also obtained, which characterizes the relation among the hyperbolic Gauss map, the normal Gauss map and Gauss curvature. The author discusses the harmonicity of the normal Gauss map and the hyperbolic Gauss map from surface with constant Gauss curvature in H3 to S2 with certain altered conformal metric. Finally, the author considers the surface whose normal Gauss map is conformal and derives a completely nonlinear differential equation of second order which graph must satisfy.     

Generalized Weierstrass representation for surfaces in Heisenberg spaces

We establish a spinorial representation for surfaces immersed with prescribed mean curvature in Heisenberg space. This permits to obtain minimal immersions starting with a harmonic Gauss map whose target is either the Poincaré disc or a hemisphere of the round sphere.     

Convex functions on Grassmannian manifolds and Lawson-Osserman problem

We derive estimates of the Hessian of two smooth functions defined on Grassmannian manifold. Based on it, we can derive curvature estimates for minimal submanifolds in Euclidean space via Gauss map as in [Y.L. Xin, Ling Yang, Curvature estimates for minimal submanifolds of higher codimension, arXiv: 0709.3686; 24]. In this way, the result for Bernstein type theorem done by Jost and the first author could be improved.     

Classification of surfaces in a pseudo‐sphere with 2‐type pseudo‐spherical Gauss map

In this article, we study submanifolds in a pseudo‐sphere with 2‐type pseudo‐spherical Gauss map. We give a characterization theorem for Lorentzian surfaces in the pseudo‐sphere with zero mean curvature vector in and 2‐type pseudo‐spherical Gauss map. We also prove that non‐totally umbilical proper pseudo‐Riemannian hypersurfaces in a pseudo‐sphere with non‐zero constant mean curvature has 2‐type pseudo‐spherical Gauss map if and only if it has constant scalar curvature. Then, for we obtain the classification of surfaces in with 2‐type pseudo‐spherical Gauss map. Finally, we give an example of surface with null 2‐type pseudo‐spherical Gauss map which does not appear in Riemannian case, and we give a characterization theorem for Lorentzian surfaces in with null 2‐type pseudo‐spherical Gauss map.     

Hyper-Lagrangian submanifolds of Hyperkähler manifolds and mean curvature flow

In this article, we define a new class of middle dimensional submanifolds of a Hyperkähler manifold which contains the class of complex Lagrangian submanifolds, and show that this larger class is invariant under the mean curvature flow. Along the flow, the complex phase map satisfies the generalized harmonic map heat equation. It is also related to the mean curvature vector via a first order differential equation. Moreover, we proved a result on nonexistence of Type I singularity.     

Gauss maps of the Ricci-mean curvature flow

In this paper, we investigate the Gauss maps of a Ricci-mean curvature flow. A Ricci-mean curvature flow is a coupled equation of a mean curvature flow and a Ricci flow on the ambient manifold. Ruh and Vilms (Trans Am Math Soc 149: 569–573, 1970) proved that the Gauss map of a minimal submanifold in a Euclidean space is a harmonic map, and Wang (Math Res Lett 10(2–3):287–299, 2003) extended this result to a mean curvature flow in a Euclidean space by proving its Gauss maps satisfy the harmonic map heat flow equation. In this paper, we deduce the evolution equation for the Gauss maps of a Ricci-mean curvature flow, and as a direct corollary we prove that the Gauss maps of a Ricci-mean curvature flow satisfy the vertically harmonic map heat flow equation when the codimension of submanifolds is 1.     

The lightlike flat geometry on spacelike submanifolds of codimension two in Minkowski space

We introduce the notion of the lightcone Gauss–Kronecker curvature for a spacelike submanifold of codimension two in Minkowski space, which is a generalization of the ordinary notion of Gauss curvature of hypersurfaces in Euclidean space. In the local sense, this curvature describes the contact of such submanifolds with lightlike hyperplanes. We study geometric properties of such curvatures and show a Gauss–Bonnet type theorem. As examples we have hypersurfaces in hyperbolic space, spacelike hypersurfaces in the lightcone and spacelike hypersurfaces in de Sitter space.     

The Gauss image of entire graphs of higher codimension and Bernstein type theorems

Under suitable conditions on the range of the Gauss map of a complete submanifold of Euclidean space with parallel mean curvature, we construct a strongly subharmonic function and derive a-priori estimates for the harmonic Gauss map. The required conditions here are more general than in previous work and they therefore enable us to improve substantially previous results for the Lawson–Osseman problem concerning the regularity of minimal submanifolds in higher codimension and to derive Bernstein type results.     

The conformal Gauss map of submanifolds of the Möbius space

In this paper we study the conformal geometry of immersed submanifolds of the Möbius spaceS ⁿ introducing the conformal Gauss map. In particular we relate its harmonicity to an extended notion of Willmore surface which originated from the work of Bryant. For a more detailed account the reader is referred to the Introduction.(on leave)     

Spacelike submanifolds of codimension two in anti-de Sitter space

In this paper, we study spacelike submanifolds of codimension two in anti-de Sitter space from the viewpoint of Legendrian singularity theory. We introduce the notion of the anti-de Sitter normalized Gauss map which is a generalization of the ordinary notion of Gauss map of hypersurfaces in Euclidean space. We also introduce the AdS-normalized Gauss–Kronecker curvature for a spacelike submanifold of codimention two in anti-de Sitter space. In the local sense, this curvature describes the contact of submanifolds with some model surfaces.     

Complete submanifolds with parallel mean curvature vector in hyperbolic spaces

In this paper we proved a better estimate as well as generalized to higher codimensions of a theorem of Y.B. Shen on complete submanifolds with parallel mean curvature vector in a hyperbolic space.     

Maximal surfaces in a certain 3-dimensional homogeneous spacetime

A generalized integral representation formula for spacelike maximal surfaces in a certain 3-dimensional homogeneous spacetime is obtained. This spacetime has a solvable Lie group structure with left invariant metric. The normal Gauß map of maximal surfaces in the homogeneous spacetime is discussed and the harmonicity of the normal Gauß map is studied.     

Mean Curvature Flow with Convex Gauss Image

In this paper,the mean curvature flow of complete submanifolds in Euclidean space with convex Gauss image and bounded curvature is studied.The confinable property of the Gauss image under the mean curvature flow is proved,which in turn helps one to obtain the curvature estimates.Then the author proves a long time existence result.The asymptotic behavior of these solutions when t→∞is also studied.     

Generalized surfaces with constant <Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">K</Emphasis> in Euclidean three-space

Surfaces in Euclidean three-space with constant ratio of mean curvature to Gauss curvature arise naturally as the parallel surfaces to minimal surfaces. They might possess singularities which occur naturally as focal points of minimal surfaces. We study geometric properties and the singularities of such surfaces, prove some global results about them, and provide a Björling formula to construct such surfaces with prescribed point or curve singularities.     

Global geometry and topology of spacelike stationary surfaces in the 4-dimensional Lorentz space

For spacelike stationary (i.e. zero mean curvature) surfaces in 4-dimensional Lorentz space, one can naturally introduce two Gauss maps and a Weierstrass-type representation. In this paper we investigate the global geometry of such surfaces systematically. The total Gaussian curvature is related with the surface topology as well as the indices of the so-called good singular ends by a Gauss–Bonnet type formula. On the other hand, as shown by a family of counterexamples to Osserman?s theorem, finite total curvature no longer implies that Gauss maps extend to the ends. Interesting examples include the deformations of the classical catenoid, the helicoid, the Enneper surface, and Jorge–Meeks? k-noids. Each family of these generalizations includes embedded examples in the 4-dimensional Lorentz space, showing a sharp contrast with the 3-dimensional case.     

About topology of saddle submanifolds

The (k,ε)-saddle (in particular, k-saddle, i.e. ε=0) submanifolds are defined in terms of eigenvalues of the second fundamental form. This class extends the class of submanifolds with extrinsic curvature bounded from above, i.e. ?ε² (in particular, non-positive) and small codimension. We study s-connectedness and (co)homology properties of compact submanifolds with ‘small’ normal curvature and saddle submanifolds in Riemannian spaces of positive (sectional or qth Ricci) curvature. The main results are that a submanifold or the intersection of two submanifolds is s-connected under some assumption. By the way, theorems by T. Frankel and some recent results by B. Wilking, F. Fang, S. Mendonça and X. Rong are generalized.     

Translation surfaces with constant mean curvature in 3-dimensional spaces

We give the classification of the translation surfaces with constant mean curvature or constant Gauss curvature in 3-dimensional Euclidean space E³ and 3-dimensional Minkowski space E ₁ ³ .The author is supported by the EDU. COMM. of CHINA, the NSF of Liaoning and the Northeastern University.Dedicated to Professor Udo Simon on the occation of his sixtieth birthday     

Warped product structure of submanifolds with nonpositive extrinsic curvature in space forms

By means of a simple warped product construction we obtain examples of submanifolds with nonpositive extrinsic curvature and minimal index of relative nullity in any space form. We then use this to extend to arbitrary space forms four known splitting results for Euclidean submanifolds with nonpositive sectional curvature.