\(L^ 2\) harmonic forms and stability of minimal hypersurfaces (Q1363225)

The following theorem is proved. Let \(M^n\subset \mathbb{R}^{n+1}\) be a complete, orientable, stable minimal hypersurface with \(n\leq4\). Then \(\mathcal H^p(M)=0\), for all \(0\leq p\leq n\), where \(\mathcal H^p(M)\) is the space of \(L^2\) harmonic forms on \(M\). This is related to a theorem of \textit{B. Palmer} [Comment. Math. Helv. 66, 185-188 (1991; Zbl 0736.53054)]. Next, the author introduces the notion of \(P_2\)-nonnegativity of sectional curvature which is weaker than the nonnegativity of sectional curvature, and proves the following result. Let \(M^n\subset\overline M^{n+1}\) be a complete, noncompact, orientable, stable minimal hypersurface of a Riemannian manifold \(\overline M\) with \(P_2\)-nonnegative sectional curvature. Then \(\mathcal H'(M)=\{0\}\). This generalizes Palmer's result quoted above for the case where \(\overline M^{n+1}=\mathbb{R}^{n+1}\) and a result of R. Miyaoka (preprint, see http://www.math.titech.ac.jp/Preprints/index-e.html) for the case where \(\overline M^{n+1}\) has nonnegative sectional curvature.