A note on balance equations for doubly periodic minimal surfaces

Most known examples of doubly periodic minimal surfaces in R³ with parallel ends limit as a foliation of R³ by horizontal noded planes, with the location of the nodes satisfying a set of balance equations. Conversely, for each set of points providing a balanced configuration, there is a corresponding three-parameter family of doubly periodic minimal surfaces. In this note we derive a differential equation that is equivalent to the balance equations for doubly periodic minimal surfaces. This allows for the generation of many more solutions to the balance equations, enabling the construction of increasingly complicated surfaces.