On the size of stable minimal surfaces in \(\mathbb{R}^4\) (Q2172508)

The authors investigate whether a minimal surface in \(\mathbb{R}^4\) is stable in terms of its Gauss map. Extending results of \textit{J. L. Barbosa} and \textit{M. P. do Carmo} [Bull. Am. Math. Soc. 80, 581--583 (1974; Zbl 0286.53004); Am. J. Math. 98, 515--528 (1976; Zbl 0332.53006); Math. Z. 173, 13--28 (1980; Zbl 0417.53033)], they prove that if the area of the Gauss map is smaller than \(2\pi\), then the surface is stable. Another result of stability establishes that if the harmonic mean of the first Dirichlet eigenvalues of the left and right Gauss images is larger than \(2\), then the surface is stable.