Lecture III: Sweeping Out Asymptotically Flat 3-manifolds by Mean Curvature Flow
Dr. Gerhard Huisken
Director, Mathematisches Forschungsinstitut Oberwolfach (MFO)
Professor, University of Tübingen
Friday, November 6, 2026
Rauch Business Center (RB) 184, 1:30 PM
Joint with the Lehigh Geometry & Topology Conference
Abstract
Asymptotically flat 3-manifolds appear as space-like time-slices of Lorentzian 4-manifolds in the description of isolated gravitating systems. We describe recent joint work with C. Sinestrari the construction of ancient solutions of mean curvature flow that sweep out the entire region between spatial infinity and the outermost horizons of black holes in the system, providing a natural geometric radial coordinate. The results rely on new a priori estimates for ancient solutions in the asymptotically flat setting.
This talk is part of the 2026 A. Everett Pitcher Lecture Series. Visit the series page for Dr. Huisken's biography and details on all three lectures.
