On minimizers of the maximal distance functional for a planar convex closed smooth curve

Abstract

Fix a compact $M\subset {\mathbb{R}}^2$ and $r>0$. A minimizer of the maximal distance functional is a connected set $\Sigma$ of the minimal length, such that \[ max_{y \in M} dist(y,Σ) \leq r. \] The problem of finding maximal distance minimizers is connected to the Steiner tree problem. In this paper we consider the case of a convex closed curve $M$, with the minimal radius of curvature greater than $r$ (it implies that $M$ is smooth). The first part is devoted to statements on structure of $\Sigma$: we show that the closure of an arbitrary connected component of $B_r(M)\cap \Sigma$ is a local Steiner tree which connects no more than five vertices. In the second part we "derive in the picture". Assume that the left and right neighborhoods of $y\in M$ are contained in $r$-neighborhoods of different points $x_1$, $x_2\in \Sigma$. We write conditions on the behavior of $\Sigma$ in the neighborhoods of $x_1$ and $x_2$ under the assumption by moving $y$ along $M$.

10 pages, 7 figures