Abstract
Employing the method of moving frames, i.e. Cartan's algorithm, we find a complete set of invariants for nondegenerate oriented surfacesM 2 in ℝ4 relative to the action of the general affine group on ℝ4. The invariants found include a normal bundle, a quadratic form onM 2 with values in the normal bundle, a symmetric connection onM 2 and a connection on the normal bundle. Integrability conditions for these invariants are also determined. Geometric interpretations are given for the successive reductions to the bundle of affine frames overM 2, obtained by using the method of moving frames, that lead to the aforementioned invariants. As applications of these results we study a class of surfaces known as harmonic surfaces, finding for them a complete set of invariants and their integrability conditions. Further applications involve the study of homogeneous surfaces; these are surfaces which are fixed by a group of affine transformations that act transitively on the surface. All homogeneous harmonic surfaces are determined.
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