The geometry of planar $p$-harmonic mappings: convexity, level curves and the isoperimetric inequality

Abstract

We discuss various representations of planar $p$-harmonic systems of equations and their solutions. For coordinate functions of $p$-harmonic maps we analyze signs of their Hessians, the Gauss curvature of $p$-harmonic surfaces, the length of level curves as well as we discuss curves of steepest descent. The isoperimetric inequality for the level curves of coordinate functions of planar $p$-harmonic maps is proven. Our main techniques involve relations between quasiregular maps and planar PDEs. We generalize some results due to P. Lindqvist, G. Alessandrini, G. Talenti and P. Laurence.