Classification of compact ancient solutions to the curve shortening flow (Q987985)

The paper deals with an embedded solution \(\Gamma_t\subset\mathbb R^2\) of the curve shortening flow \(\frac{\partial X}{\partial t} = k N\), which moves each point \(X\) on the curve \(\Gamma_t\) in the direction of the inner normal vector \(N\) by a speed which is equal to the curvature \(k\) of \(\Gamma_t\). It is well known that, if \(\Gamma_0\) is a closed convex curve embedded in \(\mathbb R^2\), then \(\Gamma_t\) shrinks to a ``round'' point at a finite time \(T\), [\textit{M. Gage, R. S. Hamilton}, J. Differ. Geom. 23, 69--96 (1986; Zbl 0621.53001)]. Besides, if \(\Gamma_0\) is any closed curve embedded in \(\mathbb R^2\), then \(\Gamma_t\) does not develop any singularities before it becomes strictly convex [\textit{M. Grayson}, J. Differ. Geom. 26, 285--314 (1987; Zbl 0667.53001)]. The authors discuss ancient convex solutions of the curve shortening flow defined on \((-\infty,T)\) with \(T=0\). Namely, \(\Gamma_t\) is represented by its pressure function \(p=k^2\) viewed as a function of the angle \(\theta\) between \(\dot{\Gamma}_t\) and the \(x\)-axis. The evolution is governed by the equation \(p_t = p\,p_{\theta\theta} -\frac{1}{2}p_\theta^2+2p^2\). The evident ancient solution \(p(\theta,t) = \frac{1}{-2t}\) corresponds to a family of contracting circles. It is shown that there exist other ancient solutions that are not self-similar; these solution are \(p(\theta,t) = \lambda\left(\frac{1}{1-e^{2\lambda t}} -\sin^2(\theta+\gamma)\right)\), where \(\lambda>0\), \(\gamma\) are arbitrary constants, they corresponds to the so-called Angenent ovals, see [\textit{S. Angenent}, J. Reine Angew. Math. 390, 79--96 (1988; Zbl 0644.35050)]. The main result states that an arbitrary embedded convex compact ancient solution to the curve shortening flow is either a family of contracting circles or a family of evolving Angenent ovals.