On \(f\)-biharmonic maps and \(f\)-biharmonic submanifolds (Q473113)

Biharmonic maps, which are mappings \(u:M\to N\) between Riemannian manifolds that are critical points for the bi-energy \(E_2(u):=\int_M|\tau(u)|^2\,dx\), are generalized here to give the concept of \(f\)-biharmonic maps, which are critical points for the \(f\)-bi-energy \(E_{2,f}(u):=\int_M f|\tau(u)|^2\,dx\). Here \(\tau(u)\) means the tension field of \(u\) given by the trace of \(\nabla du\). Related notions are those of \(f\)-biharmonic curves and \(f\)-biharmonic submanifolds. The latter are submanifolds parametrized by \(f\)-biharmonic maps which are at the same time isometric immersions. The paper features basic facts about and exampes of \(f\)-biharmonic maps, submanifolds, and curves. Most of these are close to known results about their \(f\)-harmonic and/or biharmonic counterparts.