Self-similar solutions and translating solitons for Lagrangian mean curvature flow (Q977610)

Let \((M,\omega)\) be a compact Kähler manifold. If \(L \subset M\) is real compact submanifold, one can let it evolve under the mean curvature flow. If \(\omega\) is Ricci-flat and \(L\) is a Lagrangian, a basic result of K. Smoczyk asserts that the evolved submanifolds \(L_t\) are always Lagrangian. One speaks therefore of Lagrangian mean curvature flow. This is a very important example of higher-dimensional mean curvature flow and is also related to mirror symmetry, in view of the conjecture by \textit{A. Strominger, S.-T. Yau} and \textit{E. Zaslow} [Nucl. Phys., B 479, No. 1--2, 243--259 (1996; Zbl 0896.14024)]. Moreover, according to a conjecture of \textit{R. P. Thomas} and \textit{S.-T. Yau} [Commun. Anal. Geom. 10, No. 5, 1075--1113 (2002; Zbl 1115.53054)] the long-time behaviour of the mean curvature flow of \(L\) should be related to deep stability conditions on the submanifold \(L\). As in the case of hypersurfaces in \(\mathbb{R}^n\), the main step in understanding Lagrangian mean curvature flows is the study of the possible singularities that can occur at finite times. These are usually modelled on soliton solutions, such as Lagrangians in \(\mathbb{C}^n\) which move by rescaling or translation. In this paper, the authors construct many families of examples of self-similar solutions and translating solitons for the Lagrangian mean curvature flow. As in Perelman's proof of the Poincaré conjecture, it seems likely that, in order to get the long-time existence for Lagrangian mean curvature flows, it will be necessary to allow the flow to develop singularities, and to continue after a surgery which changes the topology of the Lagrangian. The authors believe that their examples should be very useful in the study of this surgery procedure and also in clarifying the stability conditions in the Thomas-Yau conjecture.