Classification of ancient finite-entropy curve shortening flows
Abstract
We prove that any ancient smooth embedded finite-entropy curve shortening flow is one of the following: a static line, a shrinking circle, a paper clip, a translating grim reaper, or a graphical ancient trombone. An ancient trombone is an immersed ancient flow, either compact or non-compact, obtained by gluing together translating grim reaper curves. For each , there exists a -parameter family of graphical ancient trombones, up to rigid motions and time shifts as constructed by Angenent-You. In particular, our result implies that any compact ancient smooth embedded finite-entropy flow is convex. Moreover, any non-compact ancient smooth embedded finite-entropy flow is either a static line or a complete graph over a fixed open interval.
Cite
@article{arxiv.2603.09112,
title = {Classification of ancient finite-entropy curve shortening flows},
author = {Kyeongsu Choi and Dong-Hwi Seo and Wei-Bo Su and Kai-Wei Zhao},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2603.09112},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
27 pages, 5 figures