Rotational symmetry conjecture for free boundary minimal annuli in rescaled spherical caps

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Let R∈[0,π2]R\in[0,\frac{\pi}{2}] and let MκR3\mathbb{M}^3_{\kappa_R} be the space form of curvature κR=sin⁡2R\kappa_R=\sin^2 R. An embedded free boundary minimal annulus in BRcsc⁡R⊂MκR3B_{R\csc R}\subset\mathbb{M}^3_{\kappa_R} is an embedded minimal annulus whose boundary lies on ∂BRcsc⁡R\partial B_{R\csc R} and meets it orthogonally. The rotational symmetry conjecture. If

(Σ,∂Σ)↪(BRcsc⁡R,∂BRcsc⁡R)(\Sigma,\partial\Sigma)\hookrightarrow(B_{R\csc R},\partial B_{R\csc R})

is an embedded free boundary minimal annulus, then Σ\Sigma is rotationally symmetric. This is a natural analogue of the Lawson and Nitsche–Fraser–Li uniqueness conjectures. The statement is presented as an open rigidity problem; no resolution is supplied in the source.

References

Primary source

Keaton Naff and Jonathan J. Zhu, “Free boundary and capillary minimal surfaces in spherical caps I: Low genus”, arXiv:2512.12877 (2025).

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