Winding behaviour of finite-time singularities of the harmonic map heat flow (Q1762695)

The author focuses on several questions regarding the behavior of the harmonic map heat flow at finite-time singularities. In particular, it is shown that a type of nonuniqueness of bubbles can occur at finite time and that the weak limit of the flow at the singular time can be discontinuous. As well, the polynomial rate of blow-up is determined in a particular example and it is proven that winding behaviour of the flow can lead to an unexpected failure of convergence, when the flow is locally lifted to the universal cover of the target manifold.