Unicity theorems for the Gauss maps of complete minimal surfaces (Q1309202)

Let \(M\) be a connected oriented minimal surface immersed in \(\mathbb{R}^ 3\) with the Gauss map \(G: M\to S^ 2\). The map \(g=\pi\cdot G: M \to \overline{\mathbb{C}}= \mathbb{C}\cup (\infty)\) (extended complex plane), where \(\pi\) is the stereographic projection of \(S^ 2\) onto \(\overline{\mathbb{C}}\), is studied. Let \(M\) and \(\widetilde M\) be two nonflat minimal surfaces in \(\mathbb{R}^ 3\) and assume that there is a conformal diffeomorphism \(\phi\) of \(M\) onto \(\widetilde M\). Suppose that the maps \(g= \pi\cdot G\) and \(\widetilde g= \pi\cdot\widetilde G\cdot\phi\) have the same inverse images for \(q\) distinct values, \(g^{-1}(\alpha_ j)= \widetilde g^{-1}(\alpha_ j)\) \((1\leq j\leq q)\). Then 1) if \(q\geq 7\) and either \(M\) or \(\widetilde M\) is complete, then \(g\equiv \widetilde g\), 2) if \(g\geq 6\) and both of \(M\) and \(\widetilde M\) are complete and have finite total curvature, then \(g\equiv \widetilde g\). For statement 1) an example is constructed, which shows that number seven is the best-possible.