A geometric characterization of asymptotic flatness

For the study of asymptotically flat manifolds in mathematical general relativity, surfaces of constant mean curvature (CMC) have proven to be a useful tool. In 1996, Huisken- Yau showed that any asymptotically flat Riemannian manifold is uniquely foliated by closed CMC surfaces. Since then, several authors have generalized their results in several directions. In this talk, I will discuss how these surfaces characterize the full asymptotic behavior of the surrounding initial data set: A Riemannian manifold is asymptotically flat if and only if it possesses suitable CMC-foliationNon UBCUnreviewedAuthor affiliation: KTH StockholmPostdoctora