The Dirichlet problem for constant mean curvature graphs in \(\mathbb H \times \mathbb R\) over unbounded domains (Q539018)

Let \(\mathbb{H}\) denote the hyperbolic plane with sectional curvature \(-1\). It is well known that there exists no entire graph in \(\mathbb{H}\times \mathbb{R}\) with constant mean curvature \(H\) greater than \(\frac{1}{2}\). \textit{L. Hauswirth, H. Rosenberg} and \textit{J. Spruck} [``On complete mean curvature \(\frac 12\) surfaces in \(\mathbb{H}^2\times\mathbb{R}\)'', Commun. Anal. Geom. 16, No.~5, 989--1005 (2008; Zbl 1166.53041)] proved that any complete \(H=\frac{1}{2}\) surface in \(\mathbb{H}\times \mathbb{R}\) that is a local graph over \(\mathbb{H}\) is actually an entire graph. Combining this with the results in [\textit{I. Fernández} and \textit{P. Mira}, ``Harmonic maps and constant mean curvature surfaces in \(\mathbb H^2\times\mathbb R\)'', Am. J. Math. 129, No.~4, 1145--1181 (2007; Zbl 1182.53058)] and in [\textit{B. Daniel} and \textit{L. Hauswirth}, ``Half-space theorem, embedded minimal annuli and minimal graphs in the Heisenberg group'', Proc. Lond. Math. Soc. (3) 98, No.~2, 445--470 (2009; Zbl 1163.53036)], the classification of the entire graphs in \(\mathbb{H}\times \mathbb{R}\) with \(H=\frac{1}{2}\) can be obtained. On the other hand in [\textit{L. Hauswirth, H. Rosenberg} and \textit{J. Spruck}, ``Infinite boundary value problems for constant mean curvature graphs in \(\mathbb H^2 \times \mathbb R\) and \(\mathbb S^2 \times \mathbb R\)'', Am. J. Math. 131, No.~1, 195--226 (2009; Zbl 1178.53062)], the Dirichlet problem is solved for graphs with constant mean curvature defined on bounded domains with piecewise smooth boundary and satisfying suitable conditions. Here, the authors consider the case of unbounded domains and obtain conditions which guarantee the existence of graphs having constant mean curvature \(0 < H < \frac{1}{2}\) and prescribed boundary values, possibly infinite. Admissible domains \(\mathcal{D}\) are simply connected domains whose boundary \(\partial\mathcal{D}\) is an ideal polygon having sides \(\{ A_i\}, \{B_i\}\) and \(\{C_i\}\), where the curvature satisfies \(\kappa (A_i)=2H, \kappa (B_i)=-2H\) and \(\kappa (C_i)\geq 2H\). In addition, it is assumed that there do not exist either two arcs of \(\{ A_i\}\) or two arcs of \(\{B_i\}\) with a common point, the sides of \(\partial\mathcal{D}\) lie in \(\mathbb{H}\) and the vertices of \(\partial\mathcal{D}\) are contained in the asymptotic boundary of \(\mathbb{H}\). The boundary conditions that the solutions must satisfy are \(+\infty\) on the sides \( A_i\) and \(-\infty\) on the sides \(B_i\), and they must take prescribed continuous data on the sides \(C_i\). Then, necessary and sufficient conditions for solving the corresponding Dirichlet problem are obtained in terms of the lengths and areas of inscribed polygons. The proof of these results is long and involved and essentially follows previous works on the topic. They use general maximum principles and the flux formulas as the main tools to prove the necessary conditions (which will also be sufficient for the existence of solutions having infinite boundary values). In order to prove sufficient conditions the authors previously obtained some results on divergence lines. They also construct an example at the end of the paper.