No label defined (Q4393142)

The author first studies the harmonicity of Riemannian maps between Riemannian manifolds [cf. \textit{A. E. Fischer}, Contemp. Math. 132, 331-366 (1992; Zbl 0780.53033)]. Let \(M\) and \(N\) be Riemannian manifolds and \(f:M\to N\) a Riemannian map of rank \(r\). Clearly, \(r\leq\min \{\dim M,\dim N\}\). It is proved here that the Riemannian map \(f:M\to N\) is harmonic if and only if \(f=j \circ s\) locally, where \(j\) is an injective minimal immersion and \(s\) is a full harmonic submersion. Moreover, the fundamental equations for a Riemannian map are obtained. Secondly, the author generalizes the notions of Gauss map and spherical Gauss map for isometrical immersions to Riemannian maps. By using Riemannian metrics on the appropriate bundles [cf. \textit{G. R. Jensen} and \textit{M. Rigoli}, Pac. J. Math. 136, 261-282 (1989; Zbl 0643.53040)], necessary and sufficient conditions for the Gauss maps and the spherical Gauss maps of Riemannian maps to be harmonic are given.