Lagrangian homology classes without regular minimizers (Q2494217): Difference between revisions

Consider a homology class in a Kähler surface that can be represented by a Lagrangian map of a compact surface (a Lagrangian homology class) and minimize area among such maps. \textit{R. Schoen} and the author have shown that a Lagrangian minimizer exists, that the map is Lipschitz and is an immersion except at a finite number of isolated points that are either branch points or singular points with non-flat tangent cones [J. Differ. Geom. 58, No. 1, 1--86 (2001; Zbl 1052.53056)]. It can be shown that there is a Maslov index associated to each singular point. If the map is a minimizer, this index is \(\pm 1\). The sum of these indices equals the pairing of the first Chern class of the Kähler surface with the homology class of the minimizer. Thus, when this pairing is non-zero, a Lagrangian minimizer must have singular points. However, if the Kähler surface is Kähler-Einstein, then this pairing vanishes and it is possible that the minimizer is always regular (see \textit{R. Schoen}, Special Lagrangian submanifolds, to appear in the Proceedings of the Clay Summer School on the Global Theory of Minimal Surfaces, for the formulation of this speculation as a question). The author shows that this is not the case. More precisely, he proves that there is an integral homology class in a Kähler-Einstein surface that can be represented by a Lagrangian two-sphere, but that a minimizer of area among Lagrangian two-spheres representing this class has isolated singularities with non-flat tangent cones.