# Gaussian curvature of minimal surfaces expressed by torsion and curvature of its geodesics

Let $S$ be a minimal surface, and let $\gamma$ be a geodesic parametrized by arc length, with curvature $k$ and torsion $\tau$,show that in the points of $\gamma$

$$-K=k^2+\tau^2,$$

where, $K$ is the Gaussian curvature of $S$.

In this one I don't really know how to start, I thought about using $k^2=k^2_g+k^2_n$, or try to use the parametrization by asymptotic curves, but this took me nowhere.

• The expression "parametrized by arclength" can only be applied to a curve rather than a surface. Furthermore curvature $k$ and torsion $\tau$ are defined for a curve rather than a surface. It's not clear what you are asking. – Mikhail Katz Jan 21 '16 at 17:12
• Please give book/report reference to this question. The question can make sense with reference to a curve property selected on a surface specified, like in special cases $K = \tau_g^2 + \kappa_n^2$ etc. – Narasimham Jan 21 '16 at 18:19
• Thank you for pointing it out, sorry for such a silly mistake, it is now corrected. – Kernel Jan 21 '16 at 18:30

First recall the relation of the three fundamental forms of a surface $S$ in $\mathbb{R}^3$: $$III-2HII+KI=0,$$ where $K$ and $H$ are the Gaussian and the mean curvature respectively. Since $S$ is minimal we obtain $$III+KI=0.$$ By evaluating along the geodesic $c\colon I\subset\mathbb{R}\longrightarrow S$, (parametrized by arclength) we obtain $$III_{c(s)}(c'(s))+K(c(s))I_{c(s)}(c'(s))=0,\ \ \forall s\in I. \ \ \ (\dagger)$$ But,
• $I_{c(s)}(c'(c)):=||c'(s)||^2=1,\ \forall s\in I$, &
• $III_{c(s)}(c'(s)):=I_{(N\circ c)(s)}((N\circ c)'(s))=||(N\circ c)'(s)||^2,\ \forall s\in I$, where $N$ is the Gauss map of $S$.
Substituting to equation $(\dagger)$ we obtain $$-K(c(s))=||(N\circ c)'(s)||^2,\ \forall s\in I.\ \ \ \ (\ddagger)$$ Now, recall that $c$ is a geodesic. Therefore along $c$ the unit normal $N\circ c$ is parallel to the first normal of the curve $c$. Thus, $$(N\circ c)(s)=\pm \vec{n}(s),\ \forall s\in I.$$ By differentiating we obtain $$(N\circ c)'(s)=\pm(-k(s)\vec{t}(s)+\tau(s)\vec{b}(s)).$$ (Here we used the Frenet equation: $$\vec{n}'(s)=-k(s)\vec{t}(s)+\tau(s)\vec{b}(s),$$ where $\vec{t}(s)=c'(s), \vec{b}(s)$ is the second normal of $c$ and $k(s),\tau(s)$ are the curvature and the torsion of $c$ respectively.) Now, the desired result follows directly from the last equation and $(\ddagger)$, i.e. $$-K(c(s))=k^2(s)+\tau^2(s).$$