Degenerate Complex Monge Amp Re Equations

The purpose of these lecture notes is to provide an introduction to the theory of complex Monge–Ampère operators (definition, regularity issues, geometric properties of solutions, approximation) on compact Kähler manifolds (with or without boundary). These operators are of central use in several fundamental problems of complex differential geometry (Kähler–Einstein equation, uniqueness of constant scalar curvature metrics), complex analysis and dynamics. The topics covered include, the Dirichlet problem (after Bedford–Taylor), Monge–Ampère foliations and laminated currents, polynomial hulls and Perron envelopes with no analytic structure, a self-contained presentation of Krylov regularity results, a modernized proof of the Calabi–Yau theorem (after Yau and Kolodziej), an introduction to infinite dimensional riemannian geometry, geometric structures on spaces of Kähler metrics (after Mabuchi, Semmes and Donaldson), generalizations of the regularity theory of Caffarelli–Kohn–Nirenberg–Spruck (after Guan, Chen and Blocki) and Bergman approximation of geodesics (after Phong–Sturm and Berndtsson). Each chapter can be read independently and is based on a series of lectures by R. Berman, Z. Blocki, S. Boucksom, F. Delarue, R. Dujardin, B. Kolev and A. Zeriahi, delivered to non-experts. The book is thus addressed to any mathematician with some interest in one of the following fields, complex differential geometry, complex analysis, complex dynamics, fully non-linear PDE's and stochastic analysis.

This is a collection of results on the existence and stability of weak solutions of complex Monge-Ampere equation proved by applying pluripotential theory methods and obtained in past three decades. Firstly introducing basic concepts and theorems of pluripotential theory, then the Dirichlet problem for the complex Monge-Ampere equation is studied. The main goal is to give possibly detailed description of the nonnegative Borel measures which on the right hand side of the equation give rise to plurisubharmonic solutions satisfying additional requirements such as continuity, boundedness or some weaker ones. In the last part the methods of pluripotential theory are implemented to prove the existence and stability of weak solutions of the complex Monge-Ampere equation on compact Kahler manifolds. This is a generalization of the Calabi-Yau theorem.

We collect here results on the existence and stability of weak solutions of complex Monge-Ampere equation proved by applying pluripotential theory methods and obtained in past three decades. First we set the stage introducing basic concepts and theorems of pluripotential theory. Then the Dirichlet problem for the complex Monge-Ampere equation is studied. The main goal is to give possibly detailed description of the nonnegative Borel measures which on the right hand side of the equation give rise to plurisubharmonic solutions satisfying additional requirements such as continuity, boundedness or some weaker ones. In the last part the methods of pluripotential theory are implemented to prove the existence and stability of weak solutions of the complex Monge-Ampere equation on compact Kahler manifolds. This is a generalization of the Calabi-Yau theorem.

This volume collects lecture notes from courses offered at several conferences and workshops, and provides the first exposition in book form of the basic theory of the Kähler-Ricci flow and its current state-of-the-art. While several excellent books on Kähler-Einstein geometry are available, there have been no such works on the Kähler-Ricci flow. The book will serve as a valuable resource for graduate students and researchers in complex differential geometry, complex algebraic geometry and Riemannian geometry, and will hopefully foster further developments in this fascinating area of research. The Ricci flow was first introduced by R. Hamilton in the early 1980s, and is central in G. Perelman’s celebrated proof of the Poincaré conjecture. When specialized for Kähler manifolds, it becomes the Kähler-Ricci flow, and reduces to a scalar PDE (parabolic complex Monge-Ampère equation). As a spin-off of his breakthrough, G. Perelman proved the convergence of the Kähler-Ricci flow on Kähler-Einstein manifolds of positive scalar curvature (Fano manifolds). Shortly after, G. Tian and J. Song discovered a complex analogue of Perelman’s ideas: the Kähler-Ricci flow is a metric embodiment of the Minimal Model Program of the underlying manifold, and flips and divisorial contractions assume the role of Perelman’s surgeries.

Presenting some impressive recent achievements in differential geometry and topology, this volume focuses on results obtained using techniques based on Ricci flow. These ideas are at the core of the study of differentiable manifolds. Several very important open problems and conjectures come from this area and the techniques described herein are used to face and solve some of them. The book’s four chapters are based on lectures given by leading researchers in the field of geometric analysis and low-dimensional geometry/topology, respectively offering an introduction to: the differentiable sphere theorem (G. Besson), the geometrization of 3-manifolds (M. Boileau), the singularities of 3-dimensional Ricci flows (C. Sinestrari), and Kähler–Ricci flow (G. Tian). The lectures will be particularly valuable to young researchers interested in differential manifolds.

The articles in this volume are invited papers from the Marcus Wallenberg symposium and focus on research topics that bridge the gap between analysis, geometry, and topology. The encounters between these three fields are widespread and often provide impetus for major breakthroughs in applications. Topics include new developments in low dimensional topology related to invariants of links and three and four manifolds; Perelman's spectacular proof of the Poincare conjecture; and the recent advances made in algebraic, complex, symplectic, and tropical geometry.

The Seminar has taken place at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, since 1990 and it has become a tradition, starting in 1992, that the Seminar be held during July at IHES in Bures-sur-Yvette, France. This is the second Gelfand Seminar volume published by Birkhauser, the first having covered the years 1990-1992. Most of the papers in this volume result from Seminar talks at Rutgers, and some from talks at IHES. In the case of a few of the papers the authors did not attend, but the papers are in the spirit of the Seminar. This is true in particular of V. Arnold's paper. He has been connected with the Seminar for so many years that his paper is very natural in this volume, and we are happy to have it included here. We hope that many people will find something of interest to them in the special diversity of topics and the uniqueness of spirit represented here. The publication of this volume would be impossible without the devoted attention of Ann Kostant. We are extremely grateful to her. I. Gelfand J. Lepowsky M. Smirnov Questions and Answers About Geometric Evolution Processes and Crystal Growth Fred Almgren We discuss evolutions of solids driven by boundary curvatures and crystal growth with Gibbs-Thomson curvature effects. Geometric measure theo retic techniques apply both to smooth elliptic surface energies and to non differentiable crystalline surface energies.