The singular set of an energy minimizing map from \(B^ 4\) to \(S^ 2\) (Q749938)

It is known through basic work of \textit{R. Schoen} and \textit{K. Uhlenbeck} [J. Differ. Geom. 17, 307-335, Correction ibid. 19, 329 (1982; Zbl 0521.58021) and ibid. 18, 253-268 (1983; Zbl 0547.58020)] that the singular set \(\Sigma\) of an energy minimizing map u: \(\Omega\subset {\mathbb{R}}^ 4\to S^ 2\) is of Hausdorff dimension at most one: the authors here refine this result, proving that \(\Sigma\) consists of the union of a finite set with a finite family of Hölder continuous closed curves having at most a finite number of crossings. The proof (geometric measure theoretical in nature) amounts to showing that \textit{E. R. Reifenberg}'s topological disk theorem applies [Acta Math. 104, 1-92 (1960; Zbl 0099.085)]. Related material can be found in recent work of \textit{L. Simon}: ``On the singularities of harmonic maps'', Stanford Univ., preprint (1990).