Local removable singularity theorems for minimal laminations (Q726787)

Given a three-manifold \(N\) and a point \(p \in N\), let us denote by \(d_N\) the distance function in \(N\) to \(p\) and by \(B_N(p,r)\) the open metric ball of center \(p\) and radius \(r > 0\). For a lamination \(\mathcal L\) of \(N\) and a leaf \(L\) of \(\mathcal L\), let us denote by \(|\sigma_L|\) the norm of the second fundamental form of \(L\). Since the leaves of \(L\) do not intersect, it makes sense to consider the norm of the second fundamental form as a function defined on the union of the leaves of \(\mathcal L\), which we denote by \(|\sigma_{\mathcal L}|\). In the case \(N = \mathbb{R}^3\), we use the notation \(\mathbb{B}(p,r) = B_{\mathbb{R}^3}(p,r)\) and \(\mathbb{B}(r) = B(O,r)\), where \(O\) is the origin of \(\mathbb{R}^3\). Furthermore, \(R:\mathbb{R}^3 \to \mathbb{R}\) will stand for the distance function to the origin \(O\in\mathbb{R}^3\). Finally, for a surface \(M \subset \mathbb{R}^3\), \(K_M\) denotes its Gaussian curvature function. We say that a minimal surface \(M\) in \(\mathbb{R}^3\) has quadratic decay of curvature if \(|K_M|R^2\) is bounded on \(M\). One of the main objectives of the present paper is to prove the following local removable singularity theorem. \textbf{Theorem 1} (Local Removable Singularity Theorem). A minimal lamination \(\mathcal L\) of a punctured ball \(B_N(p, r)- \{p\}\) in a Riemannian three-manifold \(N\) extends to a minimal lamination of \(B_N(p, r)\) if and only if there exists a positive constant \(C\) such that \(|\sigma_{\mathcal L}| d_N \leq C\) in some subball. In particular under this hypothesis, \(a)\) The curvature of \(\mathcal{L}\) is bounded in a neighborhood of \(p\). \(b)\) If \(\mathcal L\) consists of a single leaf \(M \subset B_N(p,r)-\{p\}\) which is a properly embedded minimal surface, then \(M\) extends smoothly through \(p\). The above theorem is the main tool in the proof of the following result. \textbf{Theorem 2} (Quadratic Curvature Decay Theorem). A complete, embedded minimal surface \(M\) in \(\mathbb{R}^3\) with compact (possibly empty) boundary has quadratic decay of curvature if and only if it has finite total curvature. In particular, a complete, connected embedded minimal surface \(M \subset \mathbb{R}^3\) with compact boundary and quadratic decay of curvature is properly embedded in \(\mathbb{R}^3\). Furthermore, if \(C\) is the maximum of the logarithmic growths of the ends of \(M\), then \[ \lim_{R\to\infty} \sup_{M-\mathbb{B}(R)} |K_M|R^4=C^2. \]