The cauchy problem at simply characteristic points andP-convexity

Summary Let Ω cR ⁿ be an open set and let P be a linear partial differential operator with constant coefficients inR ⁿ. Then Ω is said to be P-convex if for each f ε C^∞(Ω) there is a u ε D′(Ω) such that P(D)u=f. A complete geometric characterization of P-convex sets inR ³ is given when P is of principal type and when Ω has C²-boundary. As a step in the proof one also obtains necessary and sufficient conditions for uniqueness in the local Cauchy problem at simply characteristic points inR ³. The tools are a sophisticated use of the author's uniqueness cones on one hand and his semi-global nullsolutions on the other hand. Hints are given on the difficulties that may be encountered inR ⁿ for the same problem. Entrata in Redazione il 7 giugno 1978.