Preface

The theory of minimal submanifolds is a fascinating field in differential geometry.  The simplest, one-dimensional minimal submanifold, the geodesic, has  been studied quite exhaustively, yet there are still a lot of interesting open problems.  In general, minimal submanifold theory deeply involves almost all major branches of mathematics; analysis, algebraic and differential topology, geometric measure theory, calculus of variations and partial differential equations, to name just a few of them.

In these lecture notes our aim is quite modest.  We discuss minimal surfaces in R3  and concentrate on the class of the embedded complete minimal surfaces of finite topological type.

First published in Australia 1996

© Centre for Mathematics and its Applications
Mathematical Sciences Institute
The Australian National University
CANBERRA ACT 0200
AUSTRALIA

This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without permission. Inquiries should be made to the publisher.

Edited by

Yi Fang

1. Minimal surfaces

2. Geometry, Differential.

I. Australian National Unviersity.  Centre for Mathematics and its Applications

II. Title. (Series:  Proceeings of the Centre for Mathematics and its Applications, Australian National University; v. 35).

ISBN 0 7315 2443 8