Two-dimensional curvature functionals with superquadratic growth (Q907274)

Summary: For two-dimensional, immersed closed surfaces \(f:\Sigma\to\mathbb R^n\), we study the curvature functionals \(\mathcal{E}^p(f)\) and \(\mathcal{W}^p(f)\) with integrands \((1+| A|^2)^{p/2}\) and \((1+| H|^2)^{p/2}\), respectively. Here \(A\) is the second fundamental form, \(H\) is the mean curvature and we assume \(p>2\). Our main result asserts that \(W^{2,p}\) critical points are smooth in both cases. We also prove a compactness theorem for \(\mathcal{W}^p\)-bounded sequences. In the case of \(\mathcal{E}^p\) this is just \textit{J. Langer}'s theorem [Math. Ann. 270, 223--234 (1985; Zbl 0564.58010)], while for \(\mathcal{W}^p\) we have to impose a bound for the Willmore energy strictly below \(8\pi\) as an additional condition. Finally, we establish versions of the Palais-Smale condition for both functionals.