12
$\begingroup$

Let $\Sigma, M$ be smooth compact Riemannian manifolds. By embedding $M$ isometrically into $\mathbb{R}^N$, one can define the Sobolev spaces $W^{k,p}(\Sigma, M)$ by

\begin{equation} W^{k,p}(\Sigma,M) = \{ u \in W^{k,p}(\Sigma,\mathbb{R}^N) \,\, | \,\, u(z) \in M \,\, \mathrm{a.e} \}. \end{equation}

For a $u \in W^{k,p}(\Sigma, M)$, $k \geq 1$, is there some sense in which $u$ has a differential $du$ that maps $T\Sigma$ into $TM$?

By working in coordinates on $\Sigma$, one can think of $du$ locally as the matrix of the (weak) partial derivatives of the local representation of $u$. One can even show using the chain rule that the local definition extends to a global definition (a.e) of $du : T\Sigma \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^N \times \mathbb{R}^N$. But does each tangent space gets mapped a.e to the tangent space of the image of $M$ in $\mathbb{R}^N$?

(This question was asked on math.stackexchange, but didn't get a respond so I'm posting it here.)


I was thinking about this question while trying to interpret a weak formulation for a specific problem. Namely, if $u : (\Sigma, j) \rightarrow (M,J)$ is a smooth map between almost complex manifolds, we say that $u$ is $(j-J)$ holomorphic if it satisfies the generalized Cauchy-Riemann equation \begin{equation} du \circ j = J \circ du. \end{equation} If $u \in W^{1,p}(\Sigma, M)$ for $p > \dim \Sigma$, then $u$ is continuous and so necessarily localizable and we can define than $u$ is $(j-J)$ holomorphic if its local representations in coordinate systems in the domain and range $\tilde{u}$ satisfy \begin{equation} d\tilde{u} \circ \tilde{j} = \tilde{J} \circ d\tilde{u} \end{equation} where $d\tilde{u}$ is the matrix of (weak) partial derivatives. However, if $p \leq \dim \Sigma$, one usually uses an isometric embedding to define the Sobolev spaces. Now, I've seen definitions which say that in this case $u$ is $(j-J)$ holomorphic if it satisfies \begin{equation} du \circ j = J \circ du \,\,\mathrm{a.e} \end{equation} but I'm not sure how to interpret $J \circ du$ in the right side. The almost complex structure $J$ is only defined on $TM$. I can try to extend $J$ to be defined on $\left. T\mathbb{R}^N \right|_{M}$ (identifying $M$ with its image in $\mathbb{R}^N$) but I'm not sure if the resulting equation doesn't depend on the extension, hence the question.

$\endgroup$
8
  • $\begingroup$ Why do you need to consider $p\leq\dim\Sigma$? For holomorphic curves, most treatments (by which I mean McDuff-Salamon) take $p>2$ (not least because $W^{1,2}\to L^2$ is not compact). $\endgroup$ Oct 4, 2012 at 12:08
  • $\begingroup$ If if the functions in $W^{k,p}$ are not continuous, i.e., k-\frac{\dim \Sigma}{p} <0$, then the condition $u(z)\in M$ a.e., is difficult to interpret. $\endgroup$ Oct 4, 2012 at 12:47
  • $\begingroup$ Jonny - I was just wondering if you can talk about $J$-holomorphic curves which has less regularity. I've found quite a few treatments in which W^{1,2} curves are discussed. For example, in ams.org/journals/tran/1994-342-02/S0002-9947-1994-1176088-1/… it is shown that W^{1,2} curves are smooth. In fim.math.ethz.ch/~triviere/papers/tiri.ps, there is a discussion of $J$-holomorphic "surfaces" (maps from $\Sigma$ of real dimension 4), for which (unsurprisingly) W^{1,2} is not enough to guarantee regularity. But I'm not sure how to interpret $\endgroup$
    – levap
    Oct 4, 2012 at 14:12
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ I think that the space of smooth holomorphic maps $\Sigma\longrightarrow M$ is closed in $W^{1,2}$. My (slightly biased) opinion is that if you use a Sobolov space setup to study holomorphic curves and you want to allow the domain of $\Sigma$ to vary, you should understand that you are doing something unnatural, and proceed with caution. There are several mistakes in the published J-holomorphic curves literature coming from people using Sobolev spaces inappropriately. $\endgroup$ Oct 4, 2012 at 23:58
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ The map $u$ is a map $u : \Sigma \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^n$. Its differential is defined a.e as a map from $du : T\Sigma \rightarrow T(\mathbb{R}^n)$. Denote by $\iota : M \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^N$ the isometric embedding. For each $p \in M$, the almost complex structure $J$ is a map $J : T_p M \rightarrow T_p M$. After embedding $M$, for each $p \in M$, a priori $J$ is defined only on a \textbf{subspace} of $T_(\iota(p)) \mathbb{R}^N$. But to interpret $J \circ du$, I need $J$ to be defined on the whole tangent space or to know something about the image of $du$. $\endgroup$
    – levap
    Oct 8, 2012 at 17:37

4 Answers 4

10
$\begingroup$

If you are interested, we have given an intrinsic definition of a weak derivative for maps between manifolds A. Convent et J. Van Schaftingen, emphasized Intrinsic colocal weak derivatives and Sobolev spaces between manifolds, [arXiv:1312.5858]. This weak derivative is map between the tangent bundles and allows to define consistently with previous definitions Sobolev spaces $W^{1, p} (\Sigma, M)$ between manifolds $\Sigma$ and $M$.

In particular, in you situation, $du$ is almost everywhere in $TM$.

$\endgroup$
3
$\begingroup$

If $W^{k,p}$ is the space of all $f$ with $ D^\alpha f \in L^p$ for all $|\alpha| \le k$ on $\mathbb R^n$ (so that I know which index is what), then the Sobolev inequality says $W^{k,p} \subset C^m$ if $k> m+\frac{\dim \Sigma}{p}$. So if $m\ge 1$, the answer is yes.

$\endgroup$
1
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks for your answer, but I'm interested exactly in the cases for which the Sobolev embedding theorem does not guarantee that functions are $C^1$. $\endgroup$
    – levap
    Oct 4, 2012 at 20:28
1
$\begingroup$

You have to extend J to be defined on your embedding space. Thus, your equation a priori depends on your chosen embedding. Of course the point here is to prove certain properties of your solutions that make it a posteriori independent of the embedding. For instance, Riviere often works with such embeddings and then shows regularity properties (such as harmonic maps from surfaces which are a priori only $W^{1,2},$ but then are shown to be Hölder).

In my opinion the main point here is the bigger bag principle. Classically for instance to solve the Dirichlet problem you use minimization of the Dirichlet functional. To capture the limit however requires you to use a complete space. Then to recover a usable solution you have to use regularity results. Notice however that you cannot use these regularity results if you do not have your bigger bag already.

It is similar in the holomorphic curve setting, where sometimes it is useful to consider suitable embeddings of the target manifold and work with Sobolev spaces with low regularity (such spaces are not intrinsically defined if the Sobolev space in question does not embed into the space of continuous functions). Usually in holomorphic curve theory one considers moduli spaces involving a fixed target space. Then it is feasible to work with target-depending moduli spaces as long as you can prove your wanted statement. Sometimes this is not possible since at some point you need more regularity (for instance in gluing).

$\endgroup$
0
$\begingroup$

If we use the extrinsic definition, viewing $u$ as a vector valued Sobolev function, they are approximately differentiable a.e. (just replace the $L_\infty$ norm in the usual definition of differentiation by the $L_p$ norm, see Evans and Gariepy, Measure Theory and Fine Properties of Functions). Then at points where it's approximately differentiable, $du$ maps $TM$ to $TN$.

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.