Geometric mean curvature lines on surfaces immersed in \(\mathbb{R}^3\) (Q1432063)

Let \(S\) be an oriented smooth surface immersed into a three-dimensional Euclidean space \(\mathbb{R}^3\), and let \(K\) be the Gaussian curvature of \(S\). A line of geometric mean curvature is a line along which the normal curvature \(k_n\) equals \(\sqrt{K}\), \(k_n = \sqrt{K}\). In the paper under review, the authors study pairs of transversal foliations with singularities defined on the elliptic region (where \(K > 0\)) and having lines of geometric mean curvature as their leaves. The singularities of the foliations are the umbilic points (where the principal curvatures of \(S\) are equal: \(k_1 = k_2\)) and parabolic curves (where \(K = 0\)). The authors determine the structurally stable patterns of lines of geometric mean curvature near the umbilic points, parabolic curves and geometric mean curvature cycles (the periodic leaves of the foliations). The results obtained allow the authors to establish sufficient conditions for geometric mean curvature structural stability. The authors conjecture that their sufficient conditions are also necessary for geometric mean curvature structural stability. The study concerning the geometric mean curvature is a natural analog and complement for the arithmetic mean curvature and the asymptotic structural stability of immersed surfaces studied by the authors in their earlier papers [Mat. Contemp. {12}, 83--102 (1997; Zbl 0930.53003), Bull. Sci. Math. {123}, 599--622 (1999) and Publ. Mat., Barc. {45}, No. 2, 431--466 (2001; Zbl 1005.53003)].