Variational approach to regularity of optimal transport maps: general cost functions (Q2119799)

The paper continues the line of research started with [\textit{M. Goldman} and \textit{F. Otto}, Ann. Sci. Éc. Norm. Supér. (4) 53, No. 5, 1209--1233 (2020; Zbl 1465.35263)] and [\textit{M. Goldman} et al., Commun. Pure Appl. Math. 74, No. 12, 2483--2560 (2021; Zbl 1480.35082)]. The aim is the study of the regularity theory for optimal transport maps with a purely variational approach. Here the authors deal with general cost functions and Hölder continuous densities, obtaining a slightly more quantitative result than the one in the celebrated paper [\textit{G. De Philippis} and \textit{A. Figalli}, Publ. Math., Inst. Hautes Étud. Sci. 121, 81--112 (2015; Zbl 1325.49051)]. Besides the differences in the statement of the main result compared to the one of De Philippis and Figalli, the interest is in the different approach. Indeed, the authors do not rely on the regularity theory for the Monge-Ampère equation and use arguments similar to De Giorgi's strategy for the \(\varepsilon\)-regularity of minimal surfaces. The result can be also applied to the study of the optimal transport problem on Riemannian manifolds with cost given by the square of the Riemannian distance.