The Minkowski problem, new constant curvature surfaces in R^3, and some applications

Abstract

Let $m\in\mathbb{N},$ $m\geq 2,$ and let $\{p_j\}_{j=1}^m$ be a finite subset of $\mathbb{S}^2$ such that $0\in\mathbb{R}^3$ lies in its positive convex hull. In this paper we make use of the classical Minkowski problem, to show the complete family of smooth convex bodies $K$ in $\mathbb{R}^3$ whose boundary surface consists of an open surface $S$ with constant Gauss curvature (respectively, constant mean curvature) and $m$ planar compact discs $\bar{D_1},...,\bar{D_m},$ such that the Gauss map of $S$ is a homeomorphism onto $\mathbb{S}^2-\{p_j\}_{j=1}^m$ and $D_j\bot p_j,$ for all $j.$ We derive applications to the generalized Minkowski problem, existence of harmonic diffeomorphisms between domains of $\mathbb{S}^2,$ existence of capillary surfaces in $\mathbb{R}^3,$ and a Hessian equation of Monge-Ampere type.