Convexity estimates for mean curvature flow with free boundary (Q266111)

The author proves estimates of [\textit{G. Huisken} and \textit{C. Sinestrari}, Calc. Var. Partial Differ. Equ. 8, No. 1, 1--14 (1999; Zbl 0992.53052); Acta Math. 183, No. 1, 45--70 (1999; Zbl 0992.53051)] for finite-time singularities of mean-convex, mean curvature flow with free boundary in a barrier \(S\), where \(S\) is any embedded, oriented surface in \(\mathbb{R}^{n+1}\) of bounded geometry and positive inscribed radius. The estimate in [\textit{G. Huisken}, J. Differ. Geom. 20, 237--266 (1984; Zbl 0556.53001)] is also proved in the case of convex flows and when \(S=S^n\). To describe the problem at hand, let \(S\subset \mathbb{R}^{n+1}\) be a smooth, embedded, oriented hypersurface with choice of normal \(\nu_S\), having bounded geometry and positive inscribed radius. If \(\Sigma^n\subset \mathbb{R}^n\) is a compact, mean-convex hypersurface with boundary, \(\Sigma\) is said to meet \(S\) orthogonally if \(\partial\Sigma \subset S\) and the outer normal of \(\partial \Sigma\subset\Sigma\) coincides with \(\nu_S\). Assume that \(\Sigma_0=\Sigma\) is compact, mean-convex and meets \(S\) orthogonally. Then the mean curvature flow of \(\Sigma_0\) with free boundary in \(S\) is a family of immersions \(F_t: \Sigma_0\times [0,T)\rightarrow\mathbb{R}^{n+1}\) such that \(F_t(\Sigma)\) meets \(S\) orthogonally for all \(t\geq 0\), \(F_0\equiv Id_{\Sigma_0}\) and \[ \partial_t F_t = -H \nu, \text{ for all } p\in \Sigma, t>0, \] where \(H\) is the mean curvature and \(\nu\) is the outer normal, oriented in such a way that H \(=-H\nu\) is the mean curvature vector. It was proved by \textit{A. Stahl} [Calc. Var. Partial Differ. Equ. 4, No. 4, 385--407 (1996; Zbl 0851.35053)] that the mean curvature flow with free boundary in \(S\) always exists on some maximal time interval \([0,T)\) for \(T\leq\infty\). Moreover, if \(T<\infty\), then \(\max_{\Sigma_t}|A|\rightarrow \infty\) as \(t\rightarrow T\), where \(|A|\) is the norm of the second fundamental form \(A\). The first main result of this paper states that there are constants \(\alpha=\alpha(S)\geq 0\) and \(C=C(S,\Sigma_0)\) such that for all time of existence \[ \max_{\Sigma_t}\frac{|A|}{H}\leq Ce^{\alpha t}. \] The second main theorem proved is a convexity pinching result, which leads to the conclusion that if \(T<\infty\), then any limit flow of \(\Sigma_t\) at a type-II singularity is a weakly convex flow \(\tilde{\Sigma}_t\) with free boundary in a hyperplane. Moreover, after reflection to a flow without boundary, \(\tilde{\Sigma}_t\) is a convex translating soliton. Finally, an umbilic pinching result is proved: assuming that \(\Sigma_0\) is convex and \(S=S^n\), then \(\Sigma_t\) shrinks to a point in finite time, and any limit flow at the singularity is umbilic.