A note on Huisken's isoperimetric mass
In this short note, we explain that Huisken's isoperimetric mass is always nonnegative for elementary reasons.
math.DG↗
arXiv subjects
Dan A. Lee
Publications and source records attributed to Dan A. Lee.
Equality in the spacetime positive mass theorem II
We provide a new proof of the equality case of the spacetime positive mass theorem, which states that if a complete asymptotically flat initial data set $(M, g, k)$ satisfying the dominant energy condition has null ADM energy-momentum (that is, $|E|=|P|$), then $(M,g)$ must isometrically embed into Minkowski space with $k$ as its second fundamental form. Previous proofs either used spinor methods [Wit 81, BC96, CM06], relied on the Jang equation [HL20, Eic13], or assumed three spatial dimensions [HZ22]. In contrast, our new proof only requires knowing that $E\ge|P|$ for all complete initial data sets near $(g,k)$ on $M$ satisfying the dominant energy condition.
math.DG↗
Density and positive mass theorems for incomplete manifolds
For manifolds with a distinguished asymptotically flat end, we prove a density theorem which produces harmonic asymptotics on the distinguished end, while allowing for points of incompleteness (or negative scalar curvature) away from this end. We use this to improve the "quantitative" version of the positive mass theorem (in dimensions $3\leq n\leq 7$), obtained by the last two named authors with S.-T. Yau [LUY21], where stronger decay was assumed on the distinguished end. We also give an alternative proof of this theorem based on a relationship between MOTS and $μ$-bubbles and our recent work on the spacetime positive mass theorem with boundary [LLU21].
math.DG↗
Noncompact Fill-Ins of Bartnik Data
We generalize Y. Shi and L.-F.\ Tam's \cite{ShiTam} nonnegativity result for the Brown-York mass, by considering nonnegative scalar curvature (NNSC) fill-ins that need only be complete rather than compact. Moreover, the NNSC fill-ins need not even be complete as long the incompleteness is ``shielded'' by a region with positive scalar curvature and occurs occurs sufficiently far away. We accomplish this by generalizing P.~Miao's~\cite{Miao02} positive mass theorem with corners to asymptotically flat manifolds that may have other complete ends, or possibly incomplete ends that are appropriately shielded. We can similarly extend other results on the compact NNSC fill-in problem to allow for complete (or shielded) NNSC fill-ins. In particular, we prove the following generalization of a theorem of Miao~\cite{Miao20}: Given any metric $γ$ on a closed manifold $Σ^{n-1}$, there exists a constant $λ$ such that for any complete (or shielded) NNSC fill-in $(Ω^n, g)$ of $(Σ^{n-1},γ)$, we have $\min_ΣH \le λ$, where $H$ is the mean curvature of $Σ$ with respect to $g$.
math.DG↗
Density and positive mass theorems for initial data sets with boundary
We prove a harmonic asymptotics density theorem for asymptotically flat initial data sets with compact boundary that satisfy the dominant energy condition. We use this to settle the spacetime positive mass theorem, with rigidity, for initial data sets with apparent horizon boundary in dimensions less than $8$ without a spin assumption.
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Bartnik mass minimizing initial data sets and improvability of the dominant energy scalar
We introduce the concept of improvability of the dominant energy scalar, and we derive strong consequences of non-improvability. In particular, we prove that a non-improvable initial data set without local symmetries must sit inside a null perfect fluid spacetime carrying a global Killing vector field. We also show that the dominant energy scalar is always almost improvable in a precise sense. Using these main results, we provide a characterization of Bartnik mass minimizing initial data sets which makes substantial progress toward Bartnik's stationary conjecture. Along the way we observe that in dimensions greater than eight there exist pp-wave counterexamples (without the optimal decay rate for asymptotically flatness) to the equality case of the spacetime positive mass theorem. As a consequence, there exist counterexamples to Bartnik's stationary and strict positivity conjectures in those dimensions.
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A note on the positive mass theorem with boundary
In this short note we explain how one can use established results to prove various versions of the positive mass theorem for initial data sets with boundary, in dimensions less than 8.
gr-qc↗
Intrinsic flat convergence of points and applications to stability of the positive mass theorem
We prove results on intrinsic flat convergence of points---a concept first explored by Sormani in \cite{Sormani-AA}. In particular, we discuss compatibility with Gromov-Hausdorff convergence of points---a concept first described by Gromov in \cite{Gromov-poly}. We apply these results to the problem of stability of the positive mass theorem in mathematical relativity. Specifically, we revisit the article \cite{HLS} on intrinsic flat stability for the case of graphical hypersurfaces of Euclidean space: We are able to fill in some details in the proofs of Theorems 1.4 and Lemma~5.1 of \cite{HLS} and strengthen some statements. Moreover, in light of an acknowledged error in the proof of Theorem~1.3 of \cite{HLS}, we provide an alternative proof that extends recent work of \cite{AP20}.
math.DG↗
Equality in the Spacetime Positive Mass Theorem
We affirm the rigidity conjecture of the spacetime positive mass theorem in dimensions less than eight. Namely, if an asymptotically flat initial data set satisfies the dominant energy condition and has $E=|P|$, then $E=|P|=0$, where $(E, P)$ is the ADM energy-momentum vector. The dimensional restriction can be removed if we assume the positive mass inequality holds. Previously the result was only known for spin manifolds.
math.DG↗
Lower semicontinuity of ADM mass under intrinsic flat convergence
A natural question in mathematical general relativity is how the ADM mass behaves as a functional on the space of asymptotically flat 3-manifolds of nonnegative scalar curvature. In previous results, lower semicontinuity has been established by the first-named author for pointed $C^2$ convergence, and more generally by both authors for pointed $C^0$ convergence (all in the Cheeger--Gromov sense). In this paper, we show this behavior persists for the much weaker notion of pointed Sormani--Wenger intrinsic flat ($\mathcal{F}$) volume convergence, under natural hypotheses. We consider smooth manifolds converging to asymptotically flat local integral current spaces (a new definition), using Huisken's isoperimetric mass as a replacement for the ADM mass. Along the way we prove results of independent interest about convergence of subregions of $\mathcal{F}$-converging sequences of integral current spaces.
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Lower semicontinuity of mass under $C^0$ convergence and Huisken's isoperimetric mass
Given a sequence of asymptotically flat 3-manifolds of nonnegative scalar curvature with outermost minimal boundary, converging in the pointed $C^0$ Cheeger--Gromov sense to an asymptotically flat limit space, we show that the total mass of the limit is bounded above by the liminf of the total masses of the sequence. In other words, total mass is lower semicontinuous under such convergence. In order to prove this, we use Huisken's isoperimetric mass concept, together with a modified weak mean curvature flow argument. We include a brief discussion of Huisken's work before explaining our extension of that work. The results are all specific to three dimensions.
math.DG↗
The spacetime positive mass theorem in dimensions less than eight
We prove the spacetime positive mass theorem in dimensions less than eight. This theorem states that for any asymptotically flat initial data set satisfying the dominant energy condition, the ADM energy-momentum vector $(E,P)$ of the initial data satisfies the inequality $E \ge |P|$. Previously, this theorem was proven only for spin manifolds by E. Witten. Our proof is a modification of the minimal hypersurface technique that was used by the last named author and S.-T. Yau to establish the time-symmetric case. Instead of minimal hypersurfaces, we use marginally outer trapped hypersurfaces (MOTS) whose existence is guaranteed by earlier work of the first named author. An important part of our proof is to introduce an appropriate substitute for the area functional used in the time-symmetric case. We also establish a density theorem of independent interest that allows us to reduce the general case of our theorem to the case of initial data that has harmonic asymptotics and satisfies the strict dominant energy condition.
math.DG↗
Intrinsic flat stability of the positive mass theorem for graphical hypersurfaces of Euclidean space
The rigidity of the Positive Mass Theorem states that the only complete asymptotically flat manifold of nonnegative scalar curvature and zero mass is Euclidean space. We study the stability of this statement for spaces that can be realized as graphical hypersurfaces in Euclidean space. We prove (under certain technical hypotheses) that if a sequence of complete asymptotically flat graphs of nonnegative scalar curvature has mass approaching zero, then the sequence must converge to Euclidean space in the pointed intrinsic flat sense. The appendix includes a new Gromov-Hausdorff and intrinsic flat compactness theorem for sequences of metric spaces with uniform Lipschitz bounds on their metrics.
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Stability of the positive mass theorem for graphical hypersurfaces of Euclidean space
The rigidity of the positive mass theorem states that the only complete asymptotically flat manifold of nonnegative scalar curvature and zero mass is Euclidean space. We prove a corresponding stability theorem for spaces that can be realized as graphical hypersurfaces in $\mathbb{R}^{n+1}$. Specifically, for an asymptotically flat graphical hypersurface $M^n\subset \mathbb{R}^{n+1}$ of nonnegative scalar curvature (satisfying certain technical conditions), there is a horizontal hyperplane $Π\subset \mathbb{R}^{n+1}$ such that the flat distance between $M$ and $Π$ in any ball of radius $ρ$ can be bounded purely in terms of $n$, $ρ$, and the mass of $M$. In particular, this means that if the masses of a sequence of such graphs approach zero, then the sequence weakly converges (in the sense of currents, after a suitable vertical normalization) to a flat plane in $\mathbb{R}^{n+1}$. This result generalizes some of the earlier findings of the second author and C. Sormani and provides some evidence for a conjecture stated there.
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The positive mass theorem for manifolds with distributional curvature
We formulate and prove a positive mass theorem for n-dimensional spin manifolds whose metrics have only the Sobolev regularity $C^0 \cap W^{1,n}$. At this level of regularity, the curvature of the metric is defined in the distributional sense only, and we propose here a (generalized) notion of ADM mass for such a metric. Our main theorem establishes that if the manifold is asymptotically flat and has non-negative scalar curvature distribution, then its (generalized) ADM mass is well-defined and non-negative, and vanishes only if the manifold is isometric to Euclidian space. Prior applications of Witten's spinor method by Lee and Parker and by Bartnik required the much stronger regularity $W^{2,2}$. Our proof is a generalization of Witten's arguments, in which we must treat the Dirac operator and its associated Lichnerowicz-Weitzenbock identity in the distributional sense and cope with certain averages of first-order derivatives of the metric over annuli that approach infinity. Finally, we observe that our arguments are not specific to scalar curvature and also allow us to establish a universal positive mass theorem.
gr-qc↗
Stability of the Positive Mass Theorem for Rotationally Symmetric Riemannian Manifolds
We study the stability of the Positive Mass Theorem using the Intrinsic Flat Distance. In particular we consider the class of complete asymptotically flat rotationally symmetric Riemannian manifolds with nonnegative scalar curvature and no interior closed minimal surfaces whose boundaries are either outermost minimal hypersurfaces or are empty. We prove that a sequence of these manifolds whose ADM masses converge to zero must converge to Euclidean space in the pointed Intrinsic Flat sense. In fact we provide explicit bounds on the Intrinsic Flat Distance between annular regions in the manifold and annular regions in Euclidean space by constructing an explicit filling manifold and estimating its volume. In addition, we include a variety of propositions that can be used to estimate the Intrinsic Flat distance between Riemannian manifolds without rotationally symmetry. Conjectures regarding the Intrinsic Flat stability of the Positive Mass Theorem in the general case are proposed in the final section.
math.DG↗
The Penrose inequality for asymptotically locally hyperbolic spaces with nonpositive mass
In the asymptotically locally hyperbolic setting it is possible to have metrics with scalar curvature at least -6 and negative mass when the genus of the conformal boundary at infinity is positive. Using inverse mean curvature flow, we prove a Penrose inequality for these negative mass metrics. The motivation comes from a previous result of P. Chruściel and W. Simon, which states that the Penrose inequality we prove implies a static uniqueness theorem for negative mass Kottler metrics.
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A positive mass theorem for Lipschitz metrics with small singular sets
We prove that the positive mass theorem applies to Lipschitz metrics as long as the singular set is low-dimensional, with no other conditions on the singular set. More precisely, let $g$ be an asymptotically flat Lipschitz metric on a smooth manifold $M^n$, such that $n<8$ or $M$ is spin. As long as $g$ has bounded $C^2$ norm and nonnegative scalar curvature on the complement of some singular set $S$ of Minkowski dimension less than $n/2$, the mass of $g$ must be nonnegative. We conjecture that the dimension of $S$ need only be less than $n-1$ for the result to hold. These results complement and contrast with earlier results of H. Bray, P. Miao, and Y. Shi and L.-F. Tam, where $S$ is a hypersurface.
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