Maximal functions over hypersurfaces with flat points. (Q5944908)

Let \(S\) be a hypersurface in \({\mathbb R}^n\), and let \(\mu\) be a smooth compactly supported measure on \(S\). Much effort has gone into finding estimates on the maximal operator \({\mathcal M},\) given by \({\mathcal M}f = \sup_{t > 0} | \mu_t*f| ,\) where \(\mu_t\) is the (mass-preserving) dilate of \(\mu\) by \(t\) in \({\mathbb R}^+.\) When \(S\) is of finite type (i.e., if the tangent lines to \(S\) make contact of polynomial order), then it is possible to prove \(L^p\) estimates for \({\mathcal M}\), for some finite \(p\). However, if \(S\) has flat points (i.e., there are tangent lines making contact of infinite order), then these estimates cannot hold. For surface measure on certain surfaces of rotation in \({\mathbb R}^3,\) \textit{J.-G. Bak} [ J. Funct. Anal. 129, 455--470 (1995; Zbl 0830.46019)]{} proved Orlicz estimates for \({\mathcal M}\). This paper extends these results to hypersurfaces of rotation in \({\mathbb R}^n\), for \(n \geq 4.\) The reader should be aware that the author uses ``\(S\) is flat'' in a different way to normal usage.