Jang's equation and its applications to marginally trapped surfaces

Abstract

In this paper we survey some recent advances in the analysis of marginally outer trapped surfaces (MOTS). We begin with a systematic review of results by Schoen and Yau on Jang's equation and its relationship with MOTS. We then explain recent work on the existence, regularity, and properties of MOTS and discuss the consequences for the trapped region. We include an outlook with some directions for future research.

30 pages. To appear in the Proceedings of the Complex Analysis & Dynamical Systems IV Conference (Nahariya, Israel, May 2009)