Approximating $C^{1,0}$-foliations

TL;DR

This paper generalizes the approximation of taut foliations by contact structures from smooth to less regular $C^{1,0}$-foliations, broadening the scope of contact topology applications.

Contribution

It extends the Eliashberg-Thurston theorem to $C^{1,0}$-foliations, enabling new applications in contact topology and Floer theory for less regular foliations.

Findings

$C^{1,0}$-foliations can be approximated by tight contact structures.

The approximation results apply to a large class of taut foliations.

Applications of $C^2$-foliation theory are extended to $C^{1,0}$-cases.

Abstract

We extend the Eliashberg-Thurston theorem on approximations of taut oriented $C^2$-foliations of 3-manifolds by both positive and negative contact structures to a large class of taut oriented $C^{1,0}$-foliations, where by $C^{1,0}$ foliation, we mean a foliation with continuous tangent plane field. These $C^{1,0}$-foliations can therefore be approximated by weakly symplectically fillable, universally tight, contact structures. This allows applications of $C^2$-foliation theory to contact topology and Floer theory to be generalized and extended to constructions of $C^{1,0}$-foliations.