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Theodora Bourni

Publications and source records attributed to Theodora Bourni.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Aleksandrov reflection for Geometric Flows in Hyperbolic Spaces

We develop an Aleksandrov reflection framework for a large class of expanding curvature flows in hyperbolic space, with inverse mean curvature flow serving as a model case. The method applies to the level-set formulation of the flow, and as a consequence we obtain graphical and Lipschitz estimates. Using these estimates, we show that solutions become star-shaped and therefore converge exponentially fast to an umbilic hypersurface at infinity. We also extend these results to the non-compact setting in two cases. First, assuming the asymptotic boundary of the solution consists of a single point, we show that the flow becomes a graph over a horosphere with uniform gradient bounds and converges to a limiting horosphere. Second, assuming the asymptotic boundary consists of two points, we prove that the flow eventually becomes a global graph over a hyperbolic cylinder with uniform gradient bounds; this is achieved through an explicit cylindrical barrier construction analogous to the horospherical one.

math.DG

Ancient solutions to free boundary mean curvature flow

We establish rigidity results for ancient solutions to the free boundary mean curvature flow in manifolds with convex boundary. In particular, we show that any free boundary minimal hypersurface of Morse index I admits an I-parameter family of ancient solutions that emanate from it. Moreover, among ancient solutions that backward converge exponentially fast to the minimal hypersurface, these exhaust all possibilities. Additionally, we construct a smooth free boundary mean convex foliation around an unstable free boundary minimal hypersurface that enables us to provide a more detailed geometric description of mean-convex ancient solutions that backward converge to that minimal surface.

math.DG

Ancient Ricci flows of bounded girth

For each $n\ge 3$, we construct a 'pancake-like', $O(2)\times O(n-1)$-invariant ancient Ricci flow with positive curvature operator and bounded "girth", and we determine its asymptotic limits backwards in time. This solution is new even in dimension three. The construction hinges on the Ricci flow invariance of certain conditions on the curvature and its spatial derivatives under this symmetry regime, whose proof does not follow from Hamilton's tensor maximum principle.

math.DG

On the Relation between Graph Ricci Curvature and Community Structure

The connection between curvature and topology is a very well-studied theme in the subject of differential geometry. By suitably defining curvature on networks, the study of this theme has been extended into the domain of network analysis as well. In particular, this has led to curvature-based community detection algorithms. In this paper, we reveal the relation between community structure of a network and the curvature of its edges. In particular, we give apriori bounds on the curvature of intercommunity edges of a graph.

cs.SI

Convex Ancient Solutions to Anisotropic Curve Shortening Flow

We construct a translating solution to anisotropic curve shortening flow and show that for a given anisotropic factor $g:S^1\to\mathbb{R}_+$, and a given direction and speed, this translator is unique. We then construct an ancient compact solution to anisotropic curve shortening flow, and show that this solution, along with the appropriate translating solution, are the unique solutions to anisotropic curve shortening flow that lie in a slab of a given width and no smaller.

math.DG

Collapsing and noncollapsing in convex ancient mean curvature flow

We provide several characterisations of collapsing and noncollapsing in convex ancient mean curvature flow, establishing in particular that collapsing occurs if and only if the flow is asymptotic to at least one Grim hyperplane. As a consequence, we rule out collapsing singularity models in $(n-1)$-convex mean curvature flow (even when the initial datum is only immersed). Explicit counterexamples show that $(n-1)$-convexity is optimal. We are also able to rule out collapsing singularity models for suitably pinched solutions of higher codimension.

math.DG

Differential Harnack inequalities via Concavity of the arrival time

We present a simple connection between differential Harnack inequalities for hypersurface flows and natural concavity properties of their time-of-arrival functions. We prove these concavity properties directly for a large class of flows by applying a concavity maximum principle argument to the corresponding level set flow equations. In particular, this yields a short proof of Hamilton's differential Harnack inequality for mean curvature flow and, more generally, Andrews' differential Harnack inequalities for certain "$α$-inverse-concave" flows.

math.DG

CMC hypersurfaces with bounded Morse index

We develop a bubble-compactness theory for embedded CMC hypersurfaces with bounded index and area inside closed Riemannian manifolds in low dimensions. In particular we show that convergence always occurs with multiplicity one, which implies that the minimal blow-ups (bubbles) are all catenoids. We also provide bounds on the area of separating CMC surfaces of bounded (Morse) index and use this, together with the previous results, to bound their genus.

math.DG

The atomic structure of ancient grain boundaries

Democritus and the early atomists held that "the material cause of all things that exist is the coming together of atoms and void. Atoms are eternal and have many different shapes, and they can cluster together to create things that are perceivable. Differences in shape, arrangement, and position of atoms produce different phenomena". Like the atoms of Democritus, the Grim Reaper solution to curve shortening flow is eternal and indivisible -- it does not split off a line, and is itself its only "asymptotic translator". Confirming the heuristic described by Huisken and Sinestrari [J. Differential Geom. 101, 2 (2015), 267-287], we show that it gives rise to a great diversity of convex ancient and translating solutions to mean curvature flow, through the evolution of families of Grim hyperplanes in suitable configurations. We construct, in all dimensions $n\ge 2$, a large family of new examples, including both symmetric and asymmetric examples, as well as many eternal examples that do not evolve by translation. The latter resolve a conjecture of White [J. Amer. Math. Soc. 16, 1 (2003), 123-138]. We also provide a detailed asymptotic analysis of convex ancient solutions in slab regions in general. Roughly speaking, we show that they decompose "backwards in time" into a canonical configuration of Grim hyperplanes which satisfies certain necessary conditions. An analogous decomposition holds "forwards in time" for eternal solutions. One consequence is a new rigidity result for translators. Another is that, in dimension two, solutions are necessarily reflection symmetric across the mid-plane of their slab.

math.DG

Ancient solutions for flow by powers of the curvature in $\mathbb R^2$

We construct a new compact convex embedded ancient solution of the $κ^α$ flow in $\mathbb R^2$, $α\in(\frac12,1)$ that lies between two parallel lines. Using this solution we classify all convex ancient solutions of the $κ^α$ flow in $\mathbb R^2$, for $α\in(\frac23,1)$. Moreover, we show that any non-compact convex embedded ancient solution of the $κ^α$ flow in $\mathbb R^2$, $α\in(\frac12,1)$ must be a translating solution.

math.DG