Entropy Dissipation Methods for Degenerate ParabolicProblems and Generalized Sobolev Inequalities

We analyse the large-time asymptotics of quasilinear (possibly) degenerate parabolic systems in three cases: 1) scalar problems with confinement by a uniformly convex potential, 2) unconfined scalar equations and 3) unconfined systems. In particular we are interested in the rate of decay to equilibrium or self-similar solutions. The main analytical tool is based on the analysis of the entropy dissipation. In the scalar case this is done by proving decay of the entropy dissipation rate and bootstrapping back to show convergence of the relative entropy to zero. As by-product, this approach gives generalized Sobolev-inequalities, which interpolate between the Gross logarithmic Sobolev inequality and the classical Sobolev inequality. The time decay of the solutions of the degenerate systems is analyzed by means of a generalisation of the Nash inequality. Porous media, fast diffusion, p-Laplace and energy transport systems are included in the considered class of problems. A generalized Csiszár–Kullback inequality allows for an estimation of the decay to equilibrium in terms of the relative entropy.     

Exponential convergence toward equilibrium for homogeneous Fokker–Planck-type equations

We consider homogeneous solutions of the Vlasov–Fokker–Planck equation in plasma theory proving that they reach the equilibrium with a time exponential rate in various norms. By Csiszar–Kullback inequality, strong L¹-convergence is a consequence of the ‘sharp’ exponential decay of relative entropy and relative Fisher information. To prove exponential strong decay in Sobolev spaces H^k, k ⩾ 0, we take into account the smoothing effect of the Fokker–Planck kernel. Finally, we prove that in a metric for probability distributions recently introduced in [9] and studied in [4, 14] the decay towards equilibrium is exponential at a rate depending on the number of moments bounded initially. Uniform bounds on the solution in various norms are then combined, by interpolation inequalities, with the convergence in this weak metric, to recover the optimal rate of decay in Sobolev spaces. © 1998 by B. G. Teubner Stuttgart–John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Discrete approximations of BV solutions to doubly nonlinear degenerate parabolic equations

Summary. In this paper we present and analyse certain discrete approximations of solutions to scalar, doubly nonlinear degenerate, parabolic problems of the form under the very general structural condition . To mention only a few examples: the heat equation, the porous medium equation, the two-phase flow equation, hyperbolic conservation laws and equations arising from the theory of non-Newtonian fluids are all special cases of (P). Since the diffusion terms a(s) and b(s) are allowed to degenerate on intervals, shock waves will in general appear in the solutions of (P). Furthermore, weak solutions are not uniquely determined by their data. For these reasons we work within the framework of weak solutions that are of bounded variation (in space and time) and, in addition, satisfy an entropy condition. The well-posedness of the Cauchy problem (P) in this class of so-called BV entropy weak solutions follows from a work of Yin [18]. The discrete approximations are shown to converge to the unique BV entropy weak solution of (P). Received November 10, 1998 / Revised version received June 10, 1999 / Published online June 8, 2000     

Improved interpolation inequalities,relative entropy and fast diffusion equations

We consider a family of Gagliardo–Nirenberg–Sobolev interpolation inequalities which interpolate between Sobolev?s inequality and the logarithmic Sobolev inequality, with optimal constants. The difference of the two terms in the interpolation inequalities (written with optimal constant) measures a distance to the manifold of the optimal functions. We give an explicit estimate of the remainder term and establish an improved inequality, with explicit norms and fully detailed constants. Our approach is based on nonlinear evolution equations and improved entropy–entropy production estimates along the associated flow. Optimizing a relative entropy functional with respect to a scaling parameter, or handling properly second moment estimates, turns out to be the central technical issue. This is a new method in the theory of nonlinear evolution equations, which can be interpreted as the best fit of the solution in the asymptotic regime among all asymptotic profiles.     

On degenerate quasilinear parabolic equations of higher order

In the paper existence results for degenerate quasilinear parabolic initial boundary value problems of higher order are proved. The weak solution is sought in a suitable weighted Sobolev space using the generalized degree theory. Supported by the funds of State Educational Commission of China for returned scholars from abroad.     

Global entropy solutions to a class of quasi-linear wave equations with large time-oscillating sources

This research explores the Cauchy problem for a class of quasi-linear wave equations with time dependent sources. It can be transformed into the Cauchy problem of hyperbolic integro-differential systems of nonlinear balance laws. We introduce the generalized Glimm scheme in new version and study its stability which is proved by Glimm-type interaction estimates in a dissipativity assumption. The generalized solutions to the perturbed Riemann problems, the building blocks of generalized Glimm scheme, are constructed by Riemann problem method modeled on the source free equations. The global existence for the Lipschitz continuous solutions and weak solutions to the systems is established by the consistency of scheme and the weak convergence of source. Finally, the weak solutions are also the entropy solutions which satisfy the entropy inequality.     

Reverse Hölder inequalities for singular parabolic equations near the boundary

We show that weak solutions to a singular parabolic partial differential equation globally belong to a higher Sobolev space than assumed a priori. To this end, we prove that the gradients satisfy a reverse Hölder inequality near the boundary. The results extend to singular parabolic systems as well. Motivation for studying reverse Hölder inequalities comes partly from applications to regularity theory.     

On the Long-Time Behavior of the Quantum Fokker-Planck Equation

We analyze the long-time behavior of transport equations for a class of dissipative quantum systems with Fokker-planck type diffusion operator, subject to confining potentials of harmonic oscillator type. We establish the existence and uniqueness of a non-equilibrium steady state for the corresponding dynamics. Further, using a (classical) convex Sobolev inequality, we prove an optimal exponential rate of decay towards this state and additionally give precise dispersion estimates in those cases, where no stationary state exists.     

Existence and regularity of multiple solutions for infinitely degenerate nonlinear elliptic equations with singular potential

In this paper, we study the Dirichlet problem for a class of infinitely degenerate nonlinear elliptic equations with singular potential term. By using the logarithmic Sobolev inequality and Hardy's inequality, the existence and regularity of multiple nontrivial solutions have been proved.     

Approximate controllability for nonlinear degenerate parabolic problems with bilinear control

In this paper, we study the global approximate multiplicative controllability for nonlinear degenerate parabolic Cauchy–Neumann problems. First, we obtain embedding results for weighted Sobolev spaces, that have proved decisive in reaching well-posedness for nonlinear degenerate problems. Then, we show that the above systems can be steered in L²$L^2$ from any nonzero, nonnegative initial state into any neighborhood of any desirable nonnegative target-state by bilinear piecewise static controls. Moreover, we extend the above result relaxing the sign constraint on the initial data.     

Existence of solutions for degenerate quasilinear parabolic equations of higher order

In the paper, existence results for degenerate parabolic boundary value problems of higher order are proved. The weak solution is sought in a suitable weighted Sobolev space by using the generalized degree theory. Supported by the funds of the State Educational Commission of China for returned scholars from abroad.     

一阶双曲型方程组解的衰减率

本文在研究波动方程时引入的整体Sobolev不等式推广到双曲组的情形．得到了一阶双曲组Cauchy问题解的几个衰减估计．特别是当初始资料给在指定的带权Sobolev空间中时,定理1．5的结果提供了最佳的衰减率．在定理的证明中我们将双曲组化到相应的一阶拟微分方程的情形,进而利用微局部分析建立所需要的估计．     

The IVP for the dispersion generalized Benjamin–Ono equation in weighted Sobolev spaces

We study the initial value problem associated to the dispersion generalized Benjamin–Ono equation. Our aim is to establish persistence properties of the solution flow in weighted Sobolev spaces and to deduce from them some sharp unique continuation properties of solutions to this equation. In particular, we shall establish optimal decay rate for the solutions of this model.     

Hölder continuity of weak solutions of a class of linear equations with boundary degeneracy

This paper deals with a class of linear equations with boundary degeneracy. According to the degenerate ratio, the equations are divided into weakly degenerate ones and strongly degenerate ones, which should be supplemented by different Dirichlet boundary value conditions. After establishing some necessary existence, nonexistence and comparison principles, we investigate the optimal Hölder continuity of weak solutions in these two cases utilizing the Harnack inequality and the Morrey theorem, respectively.     

Generalized Hardy-Sobolev Inequalities and Exponential Decay of the Entropy of $g(x)\dot{u}=\Delta u$

Provided the non-negative function allows for a generalized Hardy-Sobolev inequality, existence and uniqueness of global weak solutions of the possibly degenerate parabolic PDE , subject to homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions, is proved. The maximum/minimum principle holds. The associated entropy decays exponentially as t with a rate not exceeding 2/C, where C is the constant arising in the generalized Hardy-Sobolev inequality.A.U. acknowledges support from the DFG Forschungszentrum Mathematics for Key Technologies, project D10 (Berlin) and from the EU Research Network HYKE.M.R. acknowledges the hospitality of the mathematical department, Universität Kaiserslautern, where this work was carried out.     

Validity of nonlinear geometric optics for entropy solutions of multidimensional scalar conservation laws

Nonlinear geometric optics with various frequencies for entropy solutions only in L^∞ of multidimensional scalar conservation laws is analyzed. A new approach to validate nonlinear geometric optics is developed via entropy dissipation through scaling, compactness, homogenization, and L¹-stability. New multidimensional features are recognized, especially including nonlinear propagations of oscillations with high frequencies. The validity of nonlinear geometric optics for entropy solutions in L^∞ of multidimensional scalar conservation laws is justified.     

Positive solutions of quasilinear parabolic systems with Dirichlet boundary condition

Coupled systems for a class of quasilinear parabolic equations and the corresponding elliptic systems, including systems of parabolic and ordinary differential equations are investigated. The aim of this paper is to show the existence, uniqueness, and asymptotic behavior of time-dependent solutions. Also investigated is the existence of positive maximal and minimal solutions of the corresponding quasilinear elliptic system. The elliptic operators in both systems are allowed to be degenerate in the sense that the density-dependent diffusion coefficients Di(ui) may have the property Di(0)=0 for some or all i=1,…,N, and the boundary condition is ui=0. Using the method of upper and lower solutions, we show that a unique global classical time-dependent solution exists and converges to the maximal solution for one class of initial functions and it converges to the minimal solution for another class of initial functions; and if the maximal and minimal solutions coincide then the steady-state solution is unique and the time-dependent solution converges to the unique solution. Applications of these results are given to three model problems, including a scalar polynomial growth problem, a coupled system of polynomial growth problem, and a two component competition model in ecology.     

Uniform boundedness in time and large time behavior of weak solutions to a kind of dissipative system

This paper deals with the uniform boundedness (as well as the existence) and large time behavior of the weak entropy solutions to a kind of compressible Euler equation with dissipation effect. The existence and uniform boundedness in time of weak solutions are proved by using the Lax-Friedrichs scheme and compensate compactness. Time asymptotically, the density is showed to satisfy a kind of nonlinear Fokker-Planck equation and the momentum obeys to the Darcy’s law. As a by product, the exponentially decay rate is obtained.     

Decay rate of solutions to hyperbolic system of first order

In this paper we generalize the global Sobolev inequality introduced by Klainerman in studying wave equation to the hyperbolic system case. We obtain several decay estimates of solutions of a hyperbolic system of first order by different norms of initial data. In particular, the result mentioned in Theorem 1.5 offers an optimal decay rate of solutions, if the initial data belongs to the assigned weighted Sobolev space. In the proof of the theorem we reduce the estimate of solutions of a hyperbolic system to the corresponding case for a scalar pseudodifferential equation of the first order, and then establish the required estimate by using microlocal analysis. This work is partly supported by NNSF of China and Doctoral Programme Foundation of IHEC     

Sobolev and Hardy–Littlewood–Sobolev inequalities

This paper is devoted to improvements of Sobolev and Onofri inequalities. The additional terms involve the dual counterparts, i.e. Hardy–Littlewood–Sobolev type inequalities. The Onofri inequality is achieved as a limit case of Sobolev type inequalities. Then we focus our attention on the constants in our improved Sobolev inequalities, that can be estimated by completion of the square methods. Our estimates rely on nonlinear flows and spectral problems based on a linearization around optimal Aubin–Talenti functions.