The Gradient Flow of the M\"obius energy: $\varepsilon$-regularity and consequences

Abstract

In this article we study the gradient flow of the M\"obius energy introduced by O'Hara in 1991. We will show a fundamental $\varepsilon$-regularity result that allows us to bound the infinity norm of all derivatives for some time if the energy is small on a certain scale. This result enables us to characterize the formation of a singularity in terms of concentrations of energy and allows us to construct a blow-up profile at a possible singularity. This solves one of the open problems listed by Zheng-Xu He. Ruling out blow-ups for planar curves, we will prove that the flow transforms every planar curve into a round circle.