Symmetry Groups and Non-Planar Collisionless Action-Minimizing Solutions of the Three-Body Problem in Three-Dimensional Space

Periodic and quasi-periodic solutions of the n-body problem can be found as minimizers of the Lagrangian action functional restricted to suitable spaces of symmetric paths. The main purpose of this paper is to develop a systematic approach to the equivariant minimization for the three-body problem in three-dimensional space. First we give a finite complete list of symmetry groups fitting to the minimization of the action, with the property that any other symmetry group can be reduced to be isomorphic to one of these representatives. A second step is to prove that the resulting (local and global) symmetric action-minimizers are always collisionless (when they are not already bound to collisions). Furthermore, we prove some results which address the question of whether minimizers are planar or non-planar; as a consequence of our theory we will give general criteria for a symmetry group to yield planar or homographic minimizers (either homographic or not, as in the Chenciner-Montgomery eight solution). On the other hand we will provide a rigorous proof of the existence of some interesting one-parameter families of periodic and quasi-periodic non-planar orbits. These include the choreographic Marchal's P₁₂ family with equal masses – together with a less-symmetric choreographic family (which anyway probably coincides with the P₁₂ family).     

L∞ Variational Problems and Aronsson Equations

In this paper, we prove that viscosity solutions of Aronsson equations are absolute minimizers in certain L ^∞ variational problems.     

Action-Minimizing Orbits in the Parallelogram Four-Body Problem with Equal Masses

In this paper we prove the existence of a new periodic solution for the planar Newtonian four-body problem with equal masses. On this orbit two mass points travel on one star-shaped closed curve while the other two travel on another and have the opposite orientation. The configuration of the masses changes from square to collinear periodically and remains a parallelogram for all time. Our proof is based on a variational approach inspired by a recent work of Chenciner &; Montgomery [5]. By choosing an appropriate subspace of the Sobolev space H ¹([0,T],V), where V is the configuration space, we show that the action functional restricted to this subspace attains its infimum and any minimizer solves the Newtonian four-body problem. The orbits we found are indeed extensions of these minimizers. By studying the behavior of minimizers in reduced configuration space and comparing their action with rhomboid motions, we show that these minimizers do not experience any collision.     

Attractors for Gradient Flows of Nonconvex Functionals and Applications

This paper addresses the long-time behaviour of gradient flows of nonconvex functionals in Hilbert spaces. Exploiting the notion of generalized semiflows by J. M. Ball, we provide some sufficient conditions for the existence of a global attractor. The abstract results are applied to various classes of nonconvex evolution problems. In particular, we discuss the long-time behaviour of solutions of quasistationary phase field models and prove the existence of a global attractor.     

Static Solutions of the Vlasov-Einstein System

Static solutions of the SO(3)-symmetric Vlasov-Einstein system are studied via a variational approach. For the constitutive relation of the Emden-Fowler type φ(E,F)≡E ^{σ+ 1} F ^k we prove the existence of such solutions of sufficiently small mass-energy, provided 0<σ < k+3/2. These solutions are local minimizers of the energy-Casimir functional, subjected to a variational barrier. Accepted July 16, 2000?Published online January 22, 2001     

Polyconvexity and Existence Theorem for Nonlinearly Elastic Shells

We present an existence theorem for a large class of nonlinearly elastic shells with low regularity in the framework of a two-dimensional theory involving the mean and Gaussian curvatures. We restrict our discussion to hyperelastic materials, that is to elastic materials possessing a stored energy function. Under some specific conditions of polyconvexity, coerciveness and growth of the stored energy function, we prove the existence of global minimizers. In addition, we define a general class of polyconvex stored energy functions which satisfies a coerciveness inequality.     

On the Symmetry of Minimizers

For a large class of variational problems we prove that minimizers are symmetric whenever they are C ¹. Dedicated to Dorel Miheţ, for his teaching, his friendship, and the inspiration he gave to me.     

Existence Theorems in the Geometrically Non-linear 6-Parameter Theory of Elastic Plates

In this paper we show the existence of global minimizers for the geometrically non-linear equations of elastic plates, in the framework of the general 6-parameter shell theory. A characteristic feature of this model for shells is the appearance of two independent kinematic fields: the translation vector field and the rotation tensor field (representing in total 6 independent scalar kinematic variables). For isotropic plates, we prove the existence theorem by applying the direct methods of the calculus of variations. Then, we generalize our existence result to the case of anisotropic plates.     

Threshold-based Quasi-static Brittle Damage Evolution

We introduce models for static and quasi-static damage in elastic materials, based on a strain threshold, and then investigate the relationship between these threshold models and the energy-based models introduced in Francfort and Marigo (Eur J Mech A Solids 12:149–189, 1993) and Francfort and Garroni (Ration Mech Anal 182(1):125–152, 2006). A somewhat surprising result is that, while classical solutions for the energy models are also threshold solutions, this is shown not to be the case for nonclassical solutions, that is, solutions with microstructure. A new and arguably more physical definition of solutions with microstructure for the energy-based model is then given, in which the energy minimality property is satisfied by sequences of sets that generate the effective elastic tensors, rather than by the tensors themselves. We prove existence for this energy-based problem, and show that these solutions are also threshold solutions. A by-product of this analysis is that all local minimizers, in both the classical setting and for the new microstructure definition, are also global minimizers.     

Limit Cycles of Piecewise Smooth Differential Equations on Two Dimensional Torus

In this paper we study the limit cycles of some classes of piecewise smooth vector fields defined in the two dimensional torus. The piecewise smooth vector fields that we consider are composed by linear, Ricatti with constant coefficients and perturbations of these one, which are given in (3). Considering these piecewise smooth vector fields we characterize the global dynamics, studying the upper bound of number of limit cycles, the existence of non-trivial recurrence and a continuum of periodic orbits. We also present a family of piecewise smooth vector fields that posses a finite number of fold points and, for this family we prove that for any 2k number of limit cycles there exists a piecewise smooth vector fields in this family that presents k number of limit cycles and prove that some classes of piecewise smooth vector fields presents a non-trivial recurrence or a continuum of periodic orbits.     

Heteroclinic cycles arising in generic unfoldings of nilpotent singularities

In this paper we study the existence of heteroclinic cycles in generic unfoldings of nilpotent singularities. Namely we prove that any nilpotent singularity of codimension four in \mathbbR⁴{\mathbb{R}^4} unfolds generically a bifurcation hypersurface of bifocal homoclinic orbits, that is, homoclinic orbits to equilibrium points with two pairs of complex eigenvalues. We also prove that any nilpotent singularity of codimension three in \mathbbR³{\mathbb{R}^3} unfolds generically a bifurcation curve of heteroclinic cycles between two saddle-focus equilibrium points with different stability indexes. Under generic assumptions these cycles imply the existence of homoclinic bifurcations. Homoclinic orbits to equilibrium points with complex eigenvalues are the simplest configurations which can explain the existence of complex dynamics as, for instance, strange attractors. The proof of the arising of these dynamics from a singularity is a very useful tool, particularly for applications.     

A Variational Rod Model with a Singular Nonlocal Potential

The classical theory of elastic rods does not account for the possibility that large deformations may involve distinct points along the rod occupying the same physical space. We develop an elastic rod model with a pairwise repulsive potential such that, if two non-adjacent points along the rod are close in physical space, there is an energy barrier which prevents contact while for points nearby along the rod the potential is describable classically. This framework is developed to prove the existence of minimizers within each homotopy class, where the idea of topological homotopy of a curve is generalized to elastic rods as framed curves. Finally, the relevant first-order optimality conditions are derived and used to investigate the regularity of minimizers.     

On a nonlinear hyperbolic variational equation: I. Global existence of weak solutions

We study the nonlinear hyperbolic partial differential equation, (u _t+uu_x)_x=1/2u _x ² . This partial differential equation is the canonical asymptotic equation for weakly nonlinear solutions of a class of hyperbolic equations derived from variational principles. In particular, it describes waves in a massive director field of a nematic liquid crystal.Global smooth solutions of the partial differential equation do not exist, since their derivatives blow up in finite time, while weak solutions are not unique. We therefore define two distinct classes of admissible weak solutions, which we call dissipative and conservative solutions. We prove the global existence of each type of admissible weak solution, provided that the derivative of the initial data has bounded variation and compact support. These solutions remain continuous, despite the fact that their derivatives blow up.There are no a priori estimates on the second derivatives in any L ^p space, so the existence of weak solutions cannot be deduced by using Sobolev-type arguments. Instead, we prove existence by establishing detailed estimates on the blowup singularity for explicit approximate solutions of the partial differential equation.We also describe the qualitative properties of the partial differential equation, including a comparison with the Burgers equation for inviscid fluids and a number of illustrative examples of explicit solutions. We show that conservative weak solutions are obtained as a limit of solutions obtained by the regularized method of characteristics, and we prove that the large-time asymptotic behavior of dissipative solutions is a special piecewise linear solution which we call a kink-wave.     

Minimizing Periodic Orbits with Regularizable Collisions in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Body Problem

In the Newtonian n-body problem, there are various subsystems with two degrees of freedom, such as the collinear three-body problem and the isosceles three-body problem. After we determine a normal form of the Lagrangians of these subsystems, we prove the existence of periodic solutions with regularizable collisions for these systems. Our result includes several examples, such as Schubart’s orbit with or without equal masses, among others.     

Stable Steady States in Stellar Dynamics

We prove the existence and nonlinear stability of steady states of the Vlasov-Poisson system in the stellar dynamics case. The steady states are obtained as minimizers of an energy-Casimir functional from which fact their dynamical stability is deduced. The analysis applies to some of the well-known polytropic steady states, but it also considerably extends the class of known steady states.     

Strong Solutions for a Phase Field Navier–Stokes Vesicle–Fluid Interaction Model

In this paper we study a mathematical model for the dynamics of vesicle membranes in a 3D incompressible viscous fluid. The system is in the Eulerian formulation, involving the coupling of the incompressible Navier–Stokes system with a phase field equation. This equation models the vesicle deformations under external flow fields. We prove the local in time existence and uniqueness of strong solutions. Moreover, we show that, given T > 0, for initial data which are small (in terms of T), these solutions are defined on [0, T] (almost global existence).     

New Periodic Solutions for Newtonian n-Body Problems with Dihedral Group Symmetry and Topological Constraints

In this paper, we prove the existence of a family of new non-collision periodic solutions for the classical Newtonian n-body problems. In our assumption, the \({n=2l \geqq 4}\) particles are invariant under the dihedral rotation group D_l in \({\mathbb{R}^3}\) such that, at each instant, the n particles form two twisted l-regular polygons. Our approach is the variational minimizing method and we show that the minimizers are collision-free by level estimates and local deformations.     

Entire Minimal Parabolic Trajectories: The Planar Anisotropic Kepler Problem

We continue the variational approach to parabolic trajectories introduced in our previous paper (Barutello et al., Entire parabolic trajectories as minimal phase transitions. arXiv:1105.3358v1, 2011), which sees parabolic orbits as minimal phase transitions. We deepen and complete the analysis in the planar case for homogeneous singular potentials. We characterize all parabolic orbits connecting two minimal central configurations as free-time Morse minimizers (in a given homotopy class of paths). These may occur for at most one value of the homogeneity exponent. In addition, we link this threshold of existence of parabolic trajectories with the absence of collisions for all the minimizers of fixed-end problems, and also with the existence of action minimizing periodic trajectories with nontrivial homotopy type.     

Another Theorem of Classical Solvability ‘In Small’ for One-Dimensional Variational Problems

In this paper we suggest a direct method for studying local minimizers of one-dimensional variational problems which naturally complements the classical local theory. This method allows us both to recover facts of the classical local theory and to resolve a number of problems which were previously unreachable. The basis of these results is a regularity theory (a priori estimates and compactness in C ¹) for solutions of obstacle problems with sufficiently close obstacles. In these problems we establish that solutions exist and inherit regularity of the obstacles even under assumptions on integrands that are much weaker than those required in the classical local theory.