# How does one characterize surfaces with constant nonzero Gaussian and mean curvature

I know that for any surface, the Gaussian curvature $K$ and mean curvature $H$ satisfy the inequality $H^2 \geq K$ , and the sphere is a surface where that inequality becomes an equation. Thus, the sphere has both constant Gaussian and mean curvature.

Are there other surfaces whose Gaussian and mean curvatures are constant and nonzero?

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"Liebmann's theorem: The only regular (of class C²) closed surfaces in R³ with constant positive Gaussian curvature are spheres." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/… –  Rahul Jan 13 '11 at 5:29

In one codimension one can be convinced of this quite easily. Consider the tracefree curvature tensor $A^o = A - \frac{1}{n}Hg,$ where $g$ is the metric, $A$ the second fundamental form, and $H$ the mean curvature. For surfaces, the norm squared of $A^o$ satisfies: $|A^o|^2 = (k_1 - k_2)^2,$ where $k_1$ and $k_2$ are the principal curvatures. On the other hand, $2|A^o|^2 = 2|A|^2 - H^2 = -2(H^2 - |A|^2) + H^2 = -4K + H^2 .$ So if $K$ and $H$ are constant, then the norm of the tracefree curvature tensor is also constant. Further, the symmetry of $(\nabla A)$ implies that every component of $A^o$ is constant, and so the principal curvatures are themselves constant functions. If their difference is zero, then the principal curvatures are equal and it follows that the surface is a sphere or a plane. In higher codimensions this is more complicated. If their difference is not zero, this contradicts the compactness of the surface.

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