The prescribed mean curvature equation with Dirichlet conditions (Q5931373)

The authors consider the Dirichlet problem for the prescribed mean curvature system \[ \Delta X = 2H(u,v,X,X_u,X_v)X_u\wedge X_v \quad\text{in}\quad \Omega, \qquad X = g \quad\text{on}\quad \partial\Omega, \tag{*} \] for a vector function \(X:\Omega\rightarrow {\mathbb{R}}^3\), where \(\Omega\) is a bounded domain in \({\mathbb R}^2\). This problem and the general Plateau problem with \(H=\)constant and \(H=H(X)\) have been studied by several authors using variational methods. The present authors, together with \textit{D. F.~Rial}, have studied (*) by topological methods in the case \(H=H(u,v)\) [Nonlinear Anal., Theory Methods, Appl. 42 A, No.~4, 673-677 (2000; Zbl 0968.53006)], and by using the Green representation formula in the case \(H=H(u,v,X)\) [Bull. Belg. Math. Soc. -- Simon Stevin 7, No. 4, 487-492 (2000; Zbl 0970.35049)]. Here the more general case is studied by using the Schauder fixed point theorem. Under suitable hypotheses the existence of a solution in \(W^{2,p}(\Omega,{\mathbb R}^3)\) is established for \(g\in W^{2,p}(\Omega,{\mathbb R}^3)\) with \(2<p<\infty\). Under further regularity assumptions on the data the solution is shown to be globally smooth.