The minimal surface equation (Q4364293)

In this survey article the author sketches the main developments in the study of the minimal surface equation, the Euler-Lagrange equation of the area functional \(\int\sqrt {1+| \nabla u|^2} dx\) for graphs \(x_{n+1}= u(x_1, \dots, x_n)\) in \(\mathbb{R}^{n+1}\). The first paragraph is devoted to the case \(n=2\) and discusses local estimates for the derivatives, the Bernstein theorem (stating that entire solutions are affine), curvature estimates, and the solvability of the Dirichlet problem. More or less the same themes are described in the second paragraph on the \(n\)-dimensional equation. Here, of course, the novel features in higher dimensions are emphasized which find their most striking expression in the existence of non-affine entire solutions for \(n\geq 8\). The methods and results are set in perspective to the general theory of quasilinear elliptic equations and the possibility or impossibility of extensions to more general classes of equations is discussed whenever appropriate. The bibliography contains over 100 entries. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0873.00014].