Existence of constant mean curvature hypersurfaces in asymptotically flat spacetimes (Q1962795)

The authors consider the problem of existence of spacelike hypersurfaces with constant mean curvature in asymptotically flat spacetimes. The interest in this problem is motivated by the role that maximal hypersurfaces and constant mean curvature hypersurfaces play in the study of problems in general relativity. In particular, the authors prove the existence of complete constant mean curvature hypersurfaces asymptotic to a cut of future null infinity in a class of asymptotically Schwarzschild spacetimes satisfying an interior condition. The method used in this paper is similar to that used by \textit{R. Bartink} [Commun. Math. Phys. 94, 155-175 (1984; Zbl 0548.53054)] to prove existence of maximal hypersurfaces asymptotic to spatial infinity in asymptotically flat spacetimes at spatial infinity. That is, existence is proved by proving convergence of the solutions to a sequence of Dirichlet problems, using barriers at infinity and a condition on the causal structure.