Elastic strips (Q604233)

This paper deals with the so-called Sadowsky functional \[ S(\gamma) = \int\limits_\gamma k^2(1+\frac{\kappa^2}{k^2})^2 \,ds \] defined on the set of regular Frenet curves \(\gamma\subset\mathbb R^3\); here, \(k\) and \(\kappa\) stand for the curvature and torsion of \(\gamma\), respectively. By definition, \(\gamma\) generates an elastic strip if it is a critical point for \(S\) among all variations leaving the length fixed. Such elastic strips are discussed from the point of view of integrable geometry. Introducing two particular vector fields, a force vector and a torque vector, defined explicitly in terms of the Frenet frame and curvatures of \(\gamma\), the authors derive two conservation laws, which describe the equilibrium equations of elastic strips. These conservation laws are applied to find two new classes of integrable elastic strips, called elastic momentum strips and force-free strips, which correspond (via binormal and tangent indicatrices) to spherical elastic curves, see [\textit{J. Langer} and \textit{D. A. Singer}, J. Differ. Geom. 20, 1--22 (1984; Zbl 0554.53013)]. Furthermore, an original connection between Hopf tori and force-free strips is established.