2-ruled hypersurfaces in Euclidean 4-space (Q2032797)

The paper under review deals with hypersurfaces in Euclidean space \(E^4\), created by a one-parameter family of two-dimensional linear subspaces. These hypersurfaces admit a parametric representation \[\Psi_{(\alpha,\beta,\gamma)}(x,y,z)=\alpha(x)+y\beta(x)+z\gamma(x), x\in I\subset \mathbb R, y,z\in J\subset \mathbb R, \] where \(\alpha:I\rightarrow E^4\), \(\beta:I\rightarrow S^3\), \(\gamma:I\rightarrow S^3\) are smooth maps, \(S^3\) is the unit sphere in \(E^4\), \(I\) and \(J\) are open intervals. In case of a non degenerate hypersurface, the authors give calculations of Gaussian and mean curvature and characterizations of minimal hypersurfaces in this class. Furthermore the Laplace-Beltrami operator is discussed. Hint: Concerning this topic there is a lot of (German) literature. The (generalized) Kruppa-calculus used there gives more geometrical inside and provides explicit parametrizations for instance in the minimal case. [\textit{H. Frank} and \textit{O. Giering}, Math. Z. 150, 261--271 (1976; Zbl 0331.53011); Sitzungsber., Abt. II, Österr. Akad. Wiss., Math.-Naturwiss. Kl. 187, 139--163 (1978; Zbl 0397.53001); \textit{G. Aumann}, Manuscr. Math. 34, 293--304 (1981; Zbl 0452.53003); Sitzungsber., Abt. II, Österr. Akad. Wiss., Math.-Naturwiss. Kl. 189, 101--127 (1980; Zbl 0458.53002); \textit{H. Hagen}, Arch. Math. 42, 76--84 (1984; Zbl 0514.53004)].