Invariants and Bonnet-type theorem for surfaces in R^4

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Publication:632264



Abstract: In the tangent plane at any point of a surface in the four-dimensional Euclidean space we consider an invariant linear map of Weingarten-type and find a geometrically determined moving frame field. Writing derivative formulas of Frenet-type for this frame field, we obtain eight invariant functions. We prove a fundamental theorem of Bonnet-type, stating that these eight invariants under some natural conditions determine the surface up to a motion. We show that the basic geometric classes of surfaces in the four-dimensional Euclidean space, determined by conditions on their invariants, can be interpreted in terms of the properties of two geometric figures: the tangent indicatrix, which is a conic in the tangent plane, and the normal curvature ellipse. We construct a family of surfaces with flat normal connection.


The article is a contribution to differential geometry of two-dimensional surfaces in four-dimensional Euclidean space and in particular to the theory of local differential invariants. After recalling some concepts from \textit{G. Ganchev} and \textit{V. Milousheva} [Kodai Math. J. 31, No.~2, 183--198 (2008; Zbl 1165.53003)], the authors interpret basic surface invariants in terms of properties of the tangent indicatrix and the normal curvature ellipse: Minimal surfaces have circular tangent indicatrices, surfaces with flat normal connection have right hyperbolas as tangent indicatrices or, equivalently, degenerate ellipses of normal curvature. Converse statements hold true as well. The authors prove a fundamental theorem for two-dimensional surfaces in four-space. The surface is determined, up to rigid motion, by eight invariants that appear as coefficients in Frenet-type formulas of a geometric moving frame field and satisfy certain integrability conditions. Finally, the authors construct examples of surfaces with a flat normal connection where either the Gaussian curvature, the mean curvature or a yet nameless differential invariant is constant.




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