Minimal surfaces in $\mathbb{H}^2\times\mathbb{R}$ with finite total curvature and embedded ends

Abstract

In this paper we study the global geometry and classification of complete minimal surfaces with embedded ends and finite total curvature in the product space $\mathbb{H}^2 \times \mathbb{R}$. We describe the structure of embedded ends of such surfaces, constraining the combinatorics of their asymptotic polygons at infinity. Focusing on small total curvature values, we establish a complete classification of the possible asymptotic boundaries for embedded minimal surfaces with total curvature $-4\pi$ and $-6\pi$. In the $-4\pi$ case, we prove the surface is either a horizontal catenoid or simply-connected, with asymptotic boundary belonging to one of four explicit configurations. In the $-6\pi$ case, we show that any embedded example must be simply-connected and classify its possible ideal boundaries. We further construct, via an asymptotic Plateau problem solved by area-minimizing surfaces and successive Schwarz reflections, new 1- and 2-parameter families of (possibly non-embedded) simply-connected minimal surfaces with total curvature $-6\pi$ (and, more generally, $-2(2k-1)\pi$) whose ends are embedded and realize asymptotic configurations not previously known to occur.