Area minimizing currents mod $2Q$: linear regularity theory

Abstract

We establish a theory of $Q$-valued functions minimizing a suitable generalization of the Dirichlet integral. In a second paper the theory will be used to approximate efficiently area minimizing currents $\mathrm{mod}(p)$ when $p=2Q$, and to establish a first general partial regularity theorem for every $p$ in any dimension and codimension.

37 pages. First part of a two-papers work aimed at establishing a first general partial regularity theory for area minimizing currents modulo p, for any p and in any dimension and codimension. v3 is the final version, to appear on Comm. Pure Appl. Math