Free Boundary Minimal Annuli in the Ball

This seminar talk from the "Spectral Geometry in the clouds" series explores the theory of free boundary minimal surfaces in the unit ball of R³, with a specific focus on minimal annuli. Discover how the connection between free boundary minimal surfaces and the Steklov problem led to Fraser and Schoen's groundbreaking work in 2016, which revitalized interest in this mathematical field. Join Isabel Fernandez from Universidad de Sevilla as she reviews recent developments in the study of free boundary minimal annuli and discusses the Critical Catenoid Conjecture, one of the most significant unsolved problems in the theory. The presentation is part of the Centre de recherches mathématiques (CRM) seminar series held on April 7, 2025.