Foliated harmonic mappings (Q1913513)

Theorem: Let \({\mathcal F}\) be a transversally oriented Riemannian foliation (of \(\text{codim} > 2)\) of a compact manifold, and \(\varphi : M \to N\) a map into a compact Riemannian manifold of sectional curvature \(< 0\). If \(\varphi\) is constant on the leaves of \({\mathcal F}\), then \(\varphi\) is homotopic to a harmonic map, also constant on the leaves. The proof is based on the heat flow of the reviewer and \textit{J. H. Sampson} [Am. J. Math. 86, 109-160 (1964; Zbl 0122.40102)] -- together with a lifting theorem of \textit{P. Molino} [Indagationes Math. 44, 45-76 (1982; Zbl 0516.57016)]. There is close relationship to \textit{Y.-J. Chiang} [Ann. Global Anal. Geom. 8, No. 3, 315-344 (1990; Zbl 0679.58014)], which includes the case \(\text{codim} = 2\).