Rigidity theorems of minimal surfaces foliated by similar planar curves (Q681226)

Catenoids, Riemann's minimal surfaces, and Scherk's surfaces are classical minimal surfaces in \(\mathbb R^3\). The catenoid and Riemann's minimal surface can be foliated by circles, and Scherk's surface can be foliated by congruent curves. In this paper, the authors consider surfaces foliated by similar planar curves. First, they prove that when the surface is minimal and foliated by homothetic curves without translations, the surface is either a plane or a catenoid. In addition, they prove that a minimal surface foliated by parallel ellipses including circles is either a catenoid or Riemann's minimal surface, and when the surface foliated by ellipses without translations has constant mean curvature, the surface is either a sphere or one of Delaunay surfaces. Finally, they prove that a nonplanar minimal surface foliated by congruent planar curves with only translations on each plane is a generalized Scherk surface.