Log-Sobolev inequalities and regions with exterior exponential cusps

We begin by studying certain semigroup estimates which are more singular than those implied by a Sobolev embedding theorem but which are equivalent to certain logarithmic Sobolev inequalities. We then give a method for proving that such log-Sobolev inequalities hold for Euclidean regions which satisfy a particular Hardy-type inequality. Our main application is to show that domains which have exterior exponential cusps, and hence have no Sobolev embedding theorem, satisfy such heat kernel bounds provided the cusps are not too sharp. Finally, we consider a rotationally invariant domain with an exponentially sharp cusp and prove that ultracontractivity breaks down when the cusp becomes too sharp.