Asymptotic Plateau problem in \(\mathbb{H}^2\times \mathbb{R}\) (Q1618285)

Let \({\mathbf H}^2 \times {\mathbb R}\) denote the product of the hyperbolic plane with the real line. Its boundary at infinity is a union of three pieces: \[ \partial_\infty({\mathbf H}^2 \times {\mathbb R}) = {\mathbf H}^2 \times \{\infty\} \cup S_\infty^1 \times {\mathbb R} \cup {\mathbf H}^2 \times \{-\infty\} \] where \(S_\infty^1 = \partial_\infty({\mathbf H}^2)\). Let \(\Gamma\) be a union of finitely many pairwise disjoint Jordan curves in \(\partial_\infty({\mathbf H}^2 \times {\mathbb R}) \). The main theorem of the paper under review characterizes those \(\Gamma\) for which there exists a complete embedded surface \(\Sigma\) in \({\mathbf H}^2\times {\mathbb R}\) whose boundary at infinity satisfies \(\partial_\infty(\Sigma) = \Gamma\) and which minimizes area among all such surfaces. The author also investigates the situation in which \(\Sigma\) is merely a minimal surface, that is, its mean curvature vanishes, but it does not necessarily minimize area.