Wintgen ideal surfaces in four-dimensional neutral indefinite space form \({R^4_2(c)}\) (Q1930334)

Let \(M\) be an oriented surface \(M\) in a Euclidean space \(\mathbb E^4\). Denote by \(K\), \(K^D\) and \(H\) the intrinsic Gauss curvature, the extrinsic normal curvature and the mean curvature vector, respectively. \textit{P. Wintgen} [C. R. Acad. Sci., Paris, Sér. A 288, 993-995 (1979; Zbl 0421.53003)] proved the following basic inequality: \[ K+|K^D|\leq \langle H,H \rangle, \] where equality is attained if and only if the curvature ellipse is a circle. The corresponding Wintgen inequality for an oriented surface in a four-dimensional indefinite space form \(\mathbb R^4_2 (c)\) is given by \[ K+|K^D|\geq \langle H,H \rangle+c, \] and surfaces attaining the equality are called Wintgen ideals. In the paper under review, Wintgen ideals \(M\) in four-dimensional indefinite space form \(\mathbb R^4_2 (c)\) are studied. In particular, a complete classification is obtained for the case when the Gauss and normal curvatures are constant: in this case, either \(M\) is totally umbilical, or it is congruent to an open portion of a minimal surface, explicitly described, in \(\mathbb H^4_2 (-1)\). A complete classification is also obtained for Wintgen ideal surfaces of \(\mathbb E^4_2\) with \(K=K^D\).