This work is devoted to the motion of surfaces for which the normal velocity at every point is given by the mean curvature at that point; this geometric heat flow process is called mean curvature flow. Mean curvature flow and related geometric evolution equations are important tools in mathematics and mathematical physics. A major example is Hamilton's Ricci flow program, which has the aim of settling Thurston's geometrization conjecture, with recent major progress due to Perelman. Another important application of a curvature flow process is the resolution of the famous Penrose conjecture in general relativity by Huisken and Ilmanen. Under mean curvature flow, surfaces usually develop singularities in finite time. This work presents techniques for the study of singularities of mean curvature flow and is largely based on the work of K. Brakke, although more recent developments are incorporated.
This work is devoted to the motion of surfaces for which the normal velocity at every point is given by the mean curvature at that point; this geometric heat flow process is called mean curvature flow. Mean curvature flow and related flows are important tools in mathematics and mathematical physics. For example, the famous Penrose conjecture in general relativity by Huisken and Ilmanan was based on a curvature flow approach. Under mean curvature flow, surfaces usually develop singularities in finite time. This work presents techniques in the study of singularities of mean curvature flow and is largely based on the work of K. Brakke, although more recent developments will be presented as well: for example, relations to regularity theory for minimal surfaces, as in Allard's and de Giorgi's work. Graduate students and researchers in nonlinear PDEs, geometric measure theory and mathematical physics will benefit from this work.
