A Hölder continuity of symphonic maps into the spheres (Q262206)

The authors define the ``symphonic energy'' of \(W^{1,2}\) maps between some domain manifold \(M\) and some target \(N\) which is a submanifold of \(\mathbb R^k\), as the integral \(\int_M|u\ast h|^2dx\), where \(h\) is the standard metric of \(\mathbb R^k\). The symphonic energy is estimated from above and below by the 4-energy. Critical points are called symphonic maps by the authors. Existence of minimizers has been proven using the direct method in [the second author and \textit{Y. Takenaka}, Ric. Mat. 60, No. 2, 219--235 (2011; Zbl 1254.53095)] In the current paper, the authors prove interior Hölder continuity of symphonic maps from any domain in \(\mathbb R^4\) to a standard sphere. The proof follows the general lines known from harmonic map theory. The principal part in the equation, however, is not that of the 4-Laplace operator, which results in technical differences.