Affine differential geometry of surfaces in \(\mathbb{R}^ 4\) (Q1340209)

Elaborating from previous works by Weise, Klingenberg and Wilkinson, the author finds a complete set of invariants for nondegenerate oriented surfaces \(M^ 2\) in \(\mathbb{R}^ 4\), under the action of the general affine group \(AGL(4,\mathbb{R})\): a quadratic form on \(M^ 2\) with values in the affine normal bundle, a symmetric connection on \(M^ 2\), and a connection on the affine normal bundle. For the so-called hyperbolic immersions the author proves a uniqueness theorem, determines integrability conditions, and proves two existence theorems. Then he states that the same kind of theory can be developed and proven for the so-called elliptic immersions, and goes on to study a class of surfaces known as harmonic surfaces. Finally, he applies the above to the study of homogeneous nondegenerate surfaces, including some classification results and many examples.