Wave map ($\square \varphi =\varphi (|{\varphi }_t{|}^2-|\nabla \varphi {|}^2)$)

A wave map is a harmonic map with Lorentzian domain: a critical point of the action obtained by contracting the pullback target metric with the domain Lorentzian metric. For target sphere $S^2$ in Euclidean space and $\square =-{\partial }_t^2+\Delta$, its extrinsic equation is $\square \varphi =\varphi (|{\varphi }_t{|}^2-|\nabla \varphi {|}^2)$, subject to $|\varphi |=1$. The derivative contractions are null forms for wave equations. Wave map Cauchy data must include a tangent initial velocity.

Smooth compatible data sufficiently small in high weighted Sobolev norms relative to a constant map produce global smooth wave maps in three and four spatial dimensions. In four dimensions, derivative decay $(1+t{)}^{-3/2}$ is time-integrable and closes commuted wave energy estimates. In three dimensions the weaker $(1+t{)}^{-1}$ decay requires the cancellation of null forms for wave equations, exploited by the vector field method for wave equations. These classical localized-data statements do not assert global regularity from small supercritical energy alone.

For smooth localized compatible wave map Cauchy data and compact Riemannian target, one-dimensional wave maps stay smooth globally. In null coordinates, the equation is $D_v{\varphi }_u=D_u{\varphi }_v=0$. Compatibility of the target metric with the covariant derivative makes $|{\varphi }_u{|}^2$ independent of $v$ and $|{\varphi }_v{|}^2$ independent of $u$. These transported derivative bounds and higher energy estimates prevent finite-time breakdown.

A time-independent wave map is a harmonic map of its spatial domain into the target. For target $S^2$, its equation is $\Delta Q+|\nabla Q{|}^{2}Q=0$. In two dimensions inverse stereographic projection gives a smooth nonconstant example of finite wave map energy $4\pi$.

The conserved energy of a wave map from Minkowski spacetime to a Riemannian target is $E=\frac{1}{2}\int (|{\varphi }_t{|}^2+|\nabla \varphi {|}^2)dx$, with norms measured in the target metric. Contraction of the wave map equation with the velocity and integration by parts gives conservation.

Under ${\varphi }_{\lambda }(t,x)=\varphi (t/\lambda ,x/\lambda )$, the conserved wave map energy scales as ${\lambda }^{n-2}E$. Energy is subcritical for $n=1$, critical for $n=2$, and supercritical for $n\ge 3$. The critical derivative index of the homogeneous Sobolev space is $s_c=n/2$. Small energy alone is not an appropriate general small-data regularity hypothesis in supercritical dimensions.

Initial position ${\varphi }_0$ for a wave map takes values in the target, and initial velocity ${\varphi }_1$ belongs to its tangent space at ${\varphi }_0(x)$. For $S^2$ this means $|{\varphi }_0|=1$ and ${\varphi }_0\cdot {\varphi }_1=0$. Localized data agree with a constant map and zero velocity outside a compact set; the map itself need not be a compactly supported ambient function.