On the theory of Lorentz surfaces with parallel normalized mean curvature vector field in pseudo-Euclidean 4-space (Q2821945)

The authors study the local geometry of Lorentz surfaces with parallel normalized vector field in pseudo-Euclidean space \(\mathbb E^n\). First they develop a theory of invariants of Lorentz surfaces in \(\mathbb E^n\) and a theory of space-like surfaces in \(\mathbb E^n_1\). For this purpose they introduce a certain linear map of Weingarten type such that its determinant and trace are invariant functions. Then they prove a kind of fundamental theorem for surfaces. Next they characterize some geometric classes of surfaces in \(\mathbb E^n_2\), e.g., quasi-minimal surfaces, surfaces with flat normal connection, surfaces with constant Gauss curvature, surfaces with constant normal curvature, surfaces with parallel mean curvature vector field, and so on. The main result of the paper states that any Lorentz surface with parallel normalized mean curvature vector field is determined up to a rigid motion in \(\mathbb E^n_2\) by three invariant functions satisfying a certain system of three natural partial differential equations. For these surfaces the authors solve thus the Lund-Regge problem [\textit{F. Lund} and \textit{T. Regge}, Phys. Rev. D (3) 14, No. 6, 1524--1535 (1976; Zbl 0996.81509)].