On the numerical approximation of unstable minimal surfaces with polygonal boundaries (Q1923335)

This paper is concerned with the approximation and the numerical computation of polygonal minimal surfaces (PMS) in \(\mathbb{R}^n\), \(n\geq 2\). PMS correspond to the critical points of Shiffman's function \(\Theta\). Since this function is analytic, PMS can be characterized by means of the second derivative of \(\Theta\). A new method is introduced in this paper. It is based on the numerical treatment of \(\Theta\) and a suitable approximation of \(\nabla \Theta\). Discrete quasiminimal surfaces are computed using piecewise linear finite elements. An error estimate is obtained. Existence and convergence of discrete minimal surfaces in neighbourhoods of non-degenerate minimal surfaces are demonstrated. Numerical approximations of PMS are computed by use of Newton's method applied to the approximations of \(\nabla\Theta\).