On two parameter envelopes of \(n\)-spheres in a real space form (Q1301609)

The authors study hypersurfaces in \((n+1)\)-dimensional space forms, \(n\geq 4\), for which \(n-2\) principal curvatures equal or, otherwise said, for which one of the focal sets is a \(2\)-dimensional surface. Such a hypersurface can be described as the envelope of a \(2\)-dimensional congruence of hyperspheres with their centers on the focal surface. The authors distinguish three types of hypersurfaces according to the index of relative nullity of the \(2\)-dimensional focal surface. For each type, they then investigate the linear Weingarten relation \(A+BH+CK=0\), where \(H\) is the mean curvature and \(K\) denotes the Gauss-Kronecker curvature of the hypersurface. For example, a relation between the hypersurface being Weingarten and its focal surface being minimal is provided in the case the focal surface has index of relative nullity \(\mu=0\). Other results are more technical. Special attention is paid to hypersurfaces of constant mean curvature, or constant Gauss-Kronecker curvature, and some non-existence results are presented.