The space \(\operatorname{BV}(S^2,S^1)\): minimal connection and optimal lifting (Q2485737)

The paper concerns with topological singularities of maps in \(\text{BV}(S^2,S^1)\) and optimal lifting of such functons. The author introduces, extending an idea of \textit{H. Brezis, P. Mironescu} and \textit{A. C. Ponce} [Contemp. Math. 368, 69--100 (2005; Zbl 1078.46020)], the distribution \(T(u)\in {\mathcal D}^\prime(S^2,R)\) defined by \[ \langle T(u),\zeta\rangle=\int _{S^2}\nabla^\perp \zeta (u\wedge (D^au+D^cu))+\int_{S(u)} \rho (u^+,u^-)\nu_u \nabla^\perp \zeta, \] where \(\varrho\) is a suitable metric on \(S^1\). The author computes the norm of this distribution and uses this distribution to evaluate the length of the minimal connection, in the sense of [loc. cit.], between singularities of \(u\). Moreover, the author uses these results to construct an optimal lifting for \(u\), where optimality has to be intended in the sense of length of minimal connection. In the last section, a number of examples are exhibited, showing that in general the operator \(T\) is not continuous; moreover, some algebraic properties of \(T\) and the meaning of singular point and location on \(S^2\) are discussed.