A new approach to the Fraser-Li conjecture with the Weierstrass representation formula

Abstract

In this paper, we provide a sufficient condition for a curve on a surface in R 3 \mathbb {R}^3 to be given by an orthogonal intersection with a sphere. This result makes it possible to express the boundary condition entirely in terms of the Weierstrass data without integration when dealing with free boundary minimal surfaces in a ball B 3 \mathbb {B}^3 . Moreover, we show that the Gauss map of an embedded free boundary minimal annulus is one to one. By using this, the Fraser-Li conjecture can be translated into the problem of determining the Gauss map. On the other hand, we show that the Liouville type boundary value problem in an annulus gives some new insight into the structure of immersed minimal annuli orthogonal to spheres. It also suggests a new PDE theoretic approach to the Fraser-Li conjecture.