The equality case of the Penrose inequality for asymptotically flat graphs

Abstract

We prove the equality case of the Penrose inequality in all dimensions for asymptotically flat hypersurfaces. It was recently proven by G. Lam that the Penrose inequality holds for asymptotically flat graphical hypersurfaces in Euclidean space with non-negative scalar curvature and with a minimal boundary. Our main theorem states that if the equality holds, then the hypersurface is a Schwarzschild solution. As part of our proof, we show that asymptotically flat graphical hypersurfaces with a minimal boundary and non-negative scalar curvature must be mean convex, using the argument that we developed in our paper, Hypersurfaces with non-negative scalar curvature (J. Differential Geom., vol. 95 (2013), pp. 249–278). This enables us to obtain the ellipticity for the linearized scalar curvature operator and to establish the strong maximum principles for the scalar curvature equation.