Global,decaying solutions of a focusing energy-critical heat equation in R4

We study solutions of the focusing energy-critical nonlinear heat equation $u_t=\mathrm{\Delta }u?|u{|}^{2}u$ in ${\mathbb{R}}^4$. We show that solutions emanating from initial data with energy and ${\dot{H}}^1$-norm below those of the stationary solution W are global and decay to zero, via the “concentration-compactness plus rigidity” strategy of Kenig–Merle 33], 34]. First, global such solutions are shown to dissipate to zero, using a refinement of the small data theory and the $L^2$-dissipation relation. Finite-time blow-up is then ruled out using the backwards-uniqueness of Escauriaza–Seregin–Sverak 17], 18] in an argument similar to that of Kenig–Koch 32] for the Navier–Stokes equations.