Asymptotic gauges: Generalization of Colombeau type algebras

We use the general notion of set of indices to construct algebras of nonlinear generalized functions of Colombeau type. They are formally defined in the same way as the special Colombeau algebra, but based on more general “growth condition” formalized by the notion of asymptotic gauge. This generalization includes the special, full and nonstandard analysis based Colombeau type algebras in a unique framework. We compare Colombeau algebras generated by asymptotic gauges with other analogous construction, and we study systematically their properties, with particular attention to the existence and definition of embeddings of distributions. We finally prove that, in our framework, for every linear homogeneous ODE with generalized coefficients there exists a minimal Colombeau algebra generated by asymptotic gauges in which the ODE can be uniquely solved. This marks a main difference with the Colombeau special algebra, where only linear homogeneous ODEs satisfying some restrictions on the coefficients can be solved.     

The Cauchy problem for Schrödinger-type partial differential operators with generalized functions in the principal part and as data

We set-up and solve the Cauchy problem for Schrödinger-type differential operators with generalized functions as coefficients, in particular, allowing for distributional coefficients in the principal part. Equations involving such kind of operators appeared in models of deep earth seismology. We prove existence and uniqueness of Colombeau generalized solutions and analyze the relations with classical and distributional solutions. Furthermore, we provide a construction of generalized initial values that may serve as square roots of arbitrary probability measures.     

Generalized Solutions to Semilinear Elliptic PDE with Applications to the Lichnerowicz Equation

In this article we investigate the existence of a solution to a semi-linear, elliptic, partial differential equation with distributional coefficients and data. The problem we consider is a generalization of the Lichnerowicz equation that one encounters in studying the constraint equations in general relativity. Our method for solving this problem consists of solving a net of regularized, semi-linear problems with data obtained by smoothing the original, distributional coefficients. In order to solve these regularized problems, we develop a priori L ^∞-bounds and sub- and super-solutions to apply a fixed point argument. We then show that the net of solutions obtained through this process satisfies certain decay estimates by determining estimates for the sub- and super-solutions and utilizing classical, a priori elliptic estimates. The estimates for this net of solutions allow us to regard this collection of functions as a solution in a Colombeau-type algebra. We motivate this Colombeau algebra framework by first solving an ill-posed critical exponent problem. To solve this ill-posed problem, we use a collection of smooth, “approximating” problems and then use the resulting sequence of solutions and a compactness argument to obtain a solution to the original problem. This approach is modeled after the more general Colombeau framework that we develop, and it conveys the potential that solutions in these abstract spaces have for obtaining classical solutions to ill-posed non-linear problems with irregular data.     

The Cauchy problem for Schr?dinger-type partial differential operators with generalized functions in the principal part and as data

We set-up and solve the Cauchy problem for Schr?dinger-type differential operators with generalized functions as coefficients, in particular, allowing for distributional coefficients in the principal part. Equations involving such kind of operators appeared in models of deep earth seismology. We prove existence and uniqueness of Colombeau generalized solutions and analyze the relations with classical and distributional solutions. Furthermore, we provide a construction of generalized initial values that may serve as square roots of arbitrary probability measures.     

Homogeneity in generalized function algebras

We investigate homogeneity in the special Colombeau algebra on Rd as well as on the pierced space Rd?{0}. It is shown that strongly scaling invariant functions on Rd are simply the constants. On the pierced space, strongly homogeneous functions of degree α admit tempered representatives, whereas on the whole space, such functions are polynomials with generalized coefficients. We also introduce weak notions of homogeneity and show that these are consistent with the classical notion on the distributional level. Moreover, we investigate the relation between generalized solutions of the Euler differential equation and homogeneity.     

Unifying order structures for Colombeau algebras

We define a general notion of set of indices which, using concepts from pre‐ordered sets theory, permits to unify the presentation of several Colombeau‐type algebras of nonlinear generalized functions. In every set of indices it is possible to generalize Landau's notion of big‐O such that its usual properties continue to hold. Using this generalized notion of big‐O, these algebras can be formally defined the same way as the special Colombeau algebra. Finally, we examine the scope of this formalism and show its effectiveness by applying it to the proof of the pointwise characterization in Colombeau algebras.     

Singular fractional differential equations

Fractional differential equations have received increasing attention during recent years since the behavior of many physical systems can be properly described using the fractional order system theory. By fractional analog for Duhamel principle we give the existence-uniqueness result for linear and nonlinear time fractional evolution equations with singularities in corresponding norm in extended Colombeau algebra of generalized functions. In order to find the explicit solutions we use integral representation of the solution obtained via Laplace and Fourier transforms in succession and their inverses. We deal with some nonlinear models with singularities appearing in viscoelasticity and in anomalous processes, extending the results in viscoelasticity, continuum random walk, seismology, continuum mechanics and many other branches of life and science. The main task is finding existence-uniqueness results like in the case of evolution equations with entire derivatives. By examining the fractional evolution equations it turns out that they lead to till now known results from the evolution equations with entire derivatives in limiting case. They give more, behavior of the solution when order of derivatives are inside the intervals of entire points. In this way we can follow the influence of the operators generated by entire derivative in many fractional time evolution PDEs especially with singular initial data, and non-Lipschitz's nonlinear term. Apart from evolution equations we prove also an existence-uniqueness result for an initial value problem with singularities for linear and nonlinear fractional elliptic equation of Helmholtz type and fractional order α, where 1 < Re(α) ≤ 2, with respect to the one variable from R ₊. As a framework, we employ also Colombeau algebra of generalized functions containing fractional derivatives and operations among them in order to deal with the fractional equations with singularities. We apply the same techniques to the fractional Laplace and Poisson equation linear and nonlinear ones. (© 2013 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Microlocal Analysis of Generalized Pullbacks of?Colombeau Functions

In distribution theory the pullback of a general distribution by a C ^∞-function is well-defined whenever the normal bundle of the C ^∞-function does not intersect the wave front set of the distribution. However, the Colombeau theory of generalized functions allows for a pullback by an arbitrary c-bounded generalized function. It has been shown in previous work that in the case of multiplication of Colombeau functions (which is a special case of a C ^∞ pullback), the generalized wave front set of the product satisfies the same inclusion relation as in the distributional case, if the factors have their wave front sets in favorable position. We prove a microlocal inclusion relation for the generalized pullback (by a c-bounded generalized map) of Colombeau functions. The proof of this result relies on a stationary phase theorem for generalized phase functions, which is given in the Appendix. Furthermore we study an example (due to Hurd and Sattinger), where the pullback function stems from the generalized characteristic flow of a partial differential equation.      

Symmetrisers and generalised solutions for strictly hyperbolic systems with singular coefficients

This paper is devoted to strictly hyperbolic systems and equations with non‐smooth coefficients. Below a certain level of smoothness, distributional solutions may fail to exist. We construct generalised solutions in the Colombeau algebra of generalised functions. Extending earlier results on symmetric hyperbolic systems, we introduce generalised strict hyperbolicity, construct symmetrisers, prove an appropriate Gårding inequality and establish existence, uniqueness and regularity of generalised solutions. Under additional regularity assumptions on the coefficients, when a classical solution of the Cauchy problem (or of a transmission problem in the piecewise regular case) exists, the generalised solution is shown to be associated with the classical solution (or the piecewise classical solution satisfying the appropriate transmission conditions).     

Harmonic generalized functions in generalized function algebras

We investigate basic properties of harmonic generalized functions within the framework of J. F. Colombeau??s theory of generalized functions. In particular, we present various theorems concerning the Maximum principle, Liouville??s theorem, singularities and Poisson formula.     

Space-Time Foam Differential Algebras of Generalized Functions and a Global Cauchy-Kovalevskaia Theorem

The new global version of the Cauchy-Kovalevskaia theorem presented here is a strengthening and extension of the regularity of similar global solutions obtained earlier by the author. Recently the space-time foam differential algebras of generalized functions with dense singularities were introduced. A main motivation for these algebras comes from the so called space-time foam structures in General Relativity, where the set of singularities can be dense. A variety of applications of these algebras have been presented elsewhere, including in de Rham cohomology, Abstract Differential Geometry, Quantum Gravity, etc. Here a global Cauchy-Kovalevskaia theorem is presented for arbitrary analytic nonlinear systems of PDEs. The respective global generalized solutions are analytic on the whole of the domain of the equations considered, except for singularity sets which are closed and nowhere dense, and which upon convenience can be chosen to have zero Lebesgue measure. In view of the severe limitations due to the polynomial type growth conditions in the definition of Colombeau algebras, the class of singularities such algebras can deal with is considerably limited. Consequently, in such algebras one cannot even formulate, let alone obtain, the global version of the Cauchy-Kovalevskaia theorem presented in this paper.     

Generalized solutions to semilinear hyperbolic systems

In this article semilinear hyperbolic first order systems in two variables are considered, whose nonlinearity satisfies a global Lipschitz condition. It is shown that these systems admit unique global solutions in the Colombeau algebraG(²). In particular, this provides unique generalized solutions for arbitrary distributions as initial data. The solution inG(²) is shown to be consistent with the locally integrable or the distributional solutions, when they exist.     

Generalized solutions of parabolic initial value problems with discontinuous nonlinearities

We proved recently that parabolic initial value problems with discontinuous nonlinearities have no unique weak solution in general, but have a unique generalized solution in the sense of Colombeau. In this paper we study the relationship between generalized solutions and weak solutions.     

A Discontinuous Colombeau Differential Calculus

Starting from the Colombeau Generalized Functions, the sharp topologies and the notion of generalized points, we introduce a new kind of differential calculus (for functions between totally disconnected spaces). We also define here the notions of holomorphic generalized functions (in this new framework) and generalized manifold. Finally we give an answer to a question raised in [6].     

Regular rapidly decreasing nonlinear generalized functions. Application to microlocal regularity

We present new types of regularity for nonlinear generalized functions, based on the notion of regular growth with respect to the regularizing parameter of the Colombeau simplified model. This generalizes the notion of G^∞-regularity introduced by M. Oberguggenberger. A key point is that these regularities can be characterized, for compactly supported generalized functions, by a property of their Fourier transform. This opens the door to microanalysis of singularities of generalized functions, with respect to these regularities. We present a complete study of this topic, including properties of the Fourier transform (exchange and regularity theorems) and relationship with classical theory, via suitable results of embeddings.     

New versions of the Colombeau algebras

We construct some versions of the Colombeau theory. In particular, we construct the Colombeau algebra generated by harmonic (or polyharmonic) regularizations of distributions connected with a half‐space and by analytic regularizations of distributions connected with an octant. Unlike the standard Colombeau's scheme, our theory has new generalized functions that can be easily represented as weak asymptotics whose coefficients are distributions, i.e., in form of asymptotic distributions . The algebra of asymptotic distributions generated by the linear span of associated homogeneous distributions (in the one‐dimensional case) which we constructed earlier [9] can be embedded as a subalgebra into our version of Colombeau algebra. The representation of distributional products in the form of weak asymptotic series proved very useful in solving problems which arise in the theory of discontinuous solutions of hyperbolic systems of conservation laws [10]–[16], [49] and [50]. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Generalized group actions in a global setting

We study generalized group actions on differentiable manifolds in the Colombeau framework, extending previous work on flows of generalized vector fields and symmetry group analysis of generalized solutions. As an application, we analyze group invariant generalized functions in this setting.     

Symmetric hyperbolic systems in algebras of generalized functions and distributional limits

We study existence, uniqueness, and distributional aspects of generalized solutions to the Cauchy problem for first-order symmetric (or Hermitian) hyperbolic systems of partial differential equations with Colombeau generalized functions as coefficients and data. The proofs of solvability are based on refined energy estimates on lens-shaped regions with spacelike boundaries. We obtain several variants and also partial extensions of previous results in Oberguggenberger (1989), Lafon and Oberguggenberger (1991), and Hörmann (2004) [26], [23], [16] and provide aspects accompanying related recent work in Oberguggenberger (2009), Garetto and Oberguggenberger (2011) [28], [10], [9].     

A Discontinuous Colombeau Differential Calculus

Starting from the Colombeau Generalized Functions, the sharp topologies and the notion of generalized points, we introduce a new kind of differential calculus (for functions between totally disconnected spaces). We also define here the notions of holomorphic generalized functions (in this new framework) and generalized manifold. Finally we give an answer to a question raised in [6].Research partially supported by CNPq (Proc 300652/95-0).     

Explicit generalized solutions to a system of conservation laws

This paper studies a special 3 by 3 system of conservation laws which cannot be solved in the classical distributional sense. By adding a viscosity term and writing the system in the form of a matrix Burgers equation an explicit formula is found for the solution of the pure initial value problem. These regularized solutions are used to construct solutions for the conservation laws with initial conditions, in the algebra of generalized functions of Colombeau. Special cases of this system were studied previously by many authors.