A splitting theorem for 3-manifold with nonnegative scalar curvature and mean-convex boundary (2501.08677v2)

Abstract: We show that a Riemannian 3-manifold with nonnegative scalar curvature and mean-convex boundary is flat if it contains an absolutely area-minimizing (in the free boundary sense) half-cylinder or strip. Analogous results also hold for a $\theta$-energy-minimizing half-cylinder, or, under certain topological assumptions, a $\theta$-energy-minimizing strip for $\theta\in (0,\pi)$.