Curvature estimates for minimal hypersurfaces via generalized longitude function

Abstract

On some specified convex supporting sets of spheres, we find a generalized longitude function whose level sets are totally geodesic. Given an arbitrary (weakly) harmonic map into spheres, the composition of the generalized longitude function and harmonic map satisfies an elliptic equation of divergence type. With the aid of corresponding Harnack inequality, we establish image shrinking property and then the regularity results are followed. Applying such results to study the Gauss image of minimal hypersurfaces in Euclidean spaces, we obtain curvature estimates and corresponding Bernstein theorems.