The exterior Plateau problem in higher codimension

We prove existence theorems for two-dimensional, noncompact, complete minimal surfaces in ℝⁿ of annular type, which span a given contour and have a finite total curvature end and prescribed asymptotical behavior. For arbitrary rectifiable Jordan curves, we show the existence of such surfaces with a flat end, i.e., within a bounded distance from a 2-plane. For more restricted classes of curves, we prove the existence of minimal surfaces with higher multiplicity flat ends as well as of surfaces with polynomial-type nonflat ends. __________ Translated from Sovremennaya Matematika. Fundamental’nye Napravleniya (Contemporary Mathematics. Fundamental Directions), Vol. 17, Differential and Functional Differential Equations. Part 3, 2006.