Initialized fractional differential equations with Riemann-Liouville fractional-order derivative

The initial value problem of fractional differential equations and its solving method are studied in this paper. Firstly, for easy understanding, a different version of the initialized operator theory is presented for Riemann-Liouville’s fractional-order derivative, addressing the initial history in a straightforward form. Then, the initial value problem of a single-term fractional differential equation is converted to an equivalent integral equation, a form that is easy for both theoretical and numerical analysis, and two illustrative examples are given for checking the correctness of the integral equation. Finally, the counter-example proposed in a recent paper, which claims that the initialized operator theory results in wrong solution of a fractional differential equation, is checked again carefully. It is found that solving the equivalent integral equation gives the exact solution, and the reason behind the result of the counter-example is that the calculation therein is based on the conventional Laplace transform for fractional-order derivative, not on the initialized operator theory. The counter-example can be served as a physical model of creep phenomena for some viscoelastic materials, and it is found that it fits experimental curves well.