The isoperimetric problem in higher codimension (Q382243)

Based on excerpts taken from the authors' introduction: The classical isoperimetric problem in an \(n\)-dimensional Riemannian manifold seeks an \((n-1)\)-dimensional surface \(S\) of least area bounding a region \(R\) of prescribed volume. To generalize the problem to \(m\)-dimensional surfaces \(S\) \((1\leq m\leq n-1)\), a notion of enclosed volume is required. There are three alternatives: (i)\, infimum \(v(S)\) of volumes of \((m+1)\)-dimensional surfaces bounded by \(S\), (ii)\, \(\omega\)-volume \(\int_S\omega\) for some given smooth \(m\)-form \(\omega\), (iii)\, in \(\mathbb R^n\) multi-volume, i.e., volume enclosed by projection to each axis \((m+1)\)-dimensional vector subspace of \(\mathbb R^n\), or equivalently prescribed \(\omega\)-volume for all \(m\)-forms \(\omega\) with \(d\omega\) constant. For the first notion, \textit{F.~Almgren} [Indiana Univ. Math. J. 35, 451--547 (1986; Zbl 0585.49030)] proved that in \(\mathbb R^n\) round spheres are uniquely isoperimetric. The second notion was introduced by \textit{I.~M.~C.~Salavessa} [Bull. Braz. Math. Soc. (N.S.) 41, No. 4, 495--530 (2010; Zbl 1209.53051)] in terms of \(\Omega=d\omega\). If \(\Omega\) is a constant \((m+1)\)-form in \(\mathbb R^n\), then round spheres are uniquely isoperimetric. It was proven that round spheres uniquely satisfy some strong stability hypotheses. The third notion was introduced by \textit{F.~Morgan} [Asian J. Math. 4, No. 2, 373--382 (2000; Zbl 0985.49025)], who characterized isoperimetric curves (not necessarily round) and gave examples of non-round isoperimetric surfaces. This paper provides a unified treatment on minimizing area for the three above-mentioned notions of prescribed volume to higher codimensions. The authors discuss equilibrium conditions, existence, and regularity. Also, they consider the question of whether round spheres are the only isoperimetric or stable surfaces. Finally, they conjecture that in \(\mathbb R^n\), round \(m\)-spheres \(S_0\) are the only smooth stable surfaces \(S\) for given volume \(v(S)\) or given \(\Omega\)-volume for constant \(\Omega\).