Analysis of PDEs (math.AP)

Abstract: $3d-2d$ dimensional reduction for hyperelastic thin films modeled through energies with point dependent growth, assuming that the sample is clamped on the lateral boundary, is performed in the framework of $\Gamma$-convergence. Integral representation results, with a more regular lagrangian related to the original energy density, are provided for the lower dimensional limiting energy, in different contexts.

Abstract: In this paper, we investigate the initial boundary value problem of the following nonlinear extensible beam equation with nonlinear damping term $$u_{t t}+\Delta^2 u-M\left(\|\nabla u\|^2\right) \Delta u-\Delta u_t+\left|u_t\right|^{r-1} u_t=|u|^{p-1} u$$ which was considered by Yang et al. (Advanced Nonlinear Studies 2022; 22:436-468). We consider the problem with the nonlinear damping and establish the finite time blow-up of the solution for the initial data at arbitrary high energy level, including the estimate lower and upper bounds of the blowup time. The result provides some affirmative answer to the open problems given in (Advanced Nonlinear Studies 2022; 22:436-468).

Abstract: The paper studies a higher-order diffusion model of Maxwell-Stefan kind. The model is based upon higher-order moment equations of kinetic theory of mixtures, which include viscous dissipation in the model. Governing equations are analyzed in a scaled form, which introduces the proper orders of magnitude of each term. In the socalled diffusive scaling, the Mach and Knudsen numbers are assumed to be of the same small order of magnitude. In the asymptotic limit when the small parameter vanishes, the model exhibits a coupling between the species' partial pressure gradients, which generalizes the classical model. Scaled equations also lead to a higher-order model of diffusion with correction terms in the small parameter. In that case, the viscous tensor is determined by genuine balance laws.

Abstract: This paper is concerned with a parabolic evolution equation of the form $A(u_t) + B(u) = f$, settled in a smooth bounded domain of ${\bf R}^d$, $d \geq 1$, and complemented with the initial conditions and with (for simplicity) homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. Here, $-B$ stands for a diffusion operator, possibly nonlinear, which may range in a very wide class, including the Laplacian, the $m$-Laplacian for suitable $m\in(1,\infty)$), the "variable-exponent" $m(x)$-Laplacian, or even some fractional order operators. The operator $A$ is assumed to be in the form $[A(v)](x, t) = \alpha(x, v(x, t))$ with $\alpha$ being measurable in $x$ and maximal monotone in $v$. The main results are devoted to proving existence of weak solutions for a wide class of functions $\alpha$ that extends the setting considered in previous results related to the variable exponent case where $\alpha(x, v) = |v(x)|^{p(x)-2} v(x)$. To this end, a theory of subdifferential operators will be established in Musielak-Orlicz spaces satisfying structure conditions of the so-called $\Delta_2$-type and a framework for approximating maximal monotone operators acting in that class of spaces will also be developed. Such a theory is then applied to provide an existence result for a specific equation, but it may have an independent interest in itself. Finally, the existence result is illustrated by presenting a number of specific equations (and, correspondingly, of operators $A$, $B$) to which the result can be applied.

Abstract: Recently, results regarding the Inverse Design problem for Conservation Laws and Hamilton-Jacobi equations with space-dependent convex fluxes were obtaine. More precisely, characterizations of attainable sets and the set of initialdata evolving at a prescribed time into a prescribed profile were obtained. Here, wepresent an explicit example that underlines deep diff erences between the space-dependentand space-independent cases. Moreover, we add a detailed analysis of the time asymptoticsolution of this example, again underlining diff erences with the space-independent case.

Abstract: Solutions to $p$-Laplace equations are not, in general, of class $C^2$. The study of Sobolev regularity of the second derivatives is, therefore, a crucial issue. An important contribution by Cianchi and Maz'ya shows that, if the source term is in $L^2$, then the field $|\nabla u|^{p-2}\nabla u$ is in $W^{1,2}$. The $L^2$-regularity of the source term is also a necessary condition. Here, under suitable assumptions, we obtain sharp second order estimates, thus proving the optimal regularity of the vector field $|\nabla u|^{p-2}\nabla u$, up to the boundary.

Abstract: We study the stationary Navier--Stokes equations in the region between two rotating concentric cylinders. We first prove that, under the small Reynolds number, if the fluid is axisymmetric and if its velocity is sufficiently small in the $L^\infty$-norm, then it is necessarily a generalized Taylor-Couette flow. If, in addition, the associated pressure is bounded or periodic in the $z$-axis, then it coincides with the well-known canonical Taylor-Couette flow. Next, we give a certain bound of the Reynolds number and the $L^\infty$-norm of the velocity such as the fluid is indeed, necessarily axisymmetric. It is clarified that smallness of Reynolds number of the fluid in the two rotating concentric cylinders governs both axisymmetry and the exact form of the Taylor-Couette flow.

Abstract: In the stationary case, atomistic interaction energies can be proved to $\Gamma$-converge to classical elasticity models in the simultaneous atomistic-to-continuum and linearization limit [19],[40]. The aim of this note is that of extending the convergence analysis to the dynamic setting. Moving within the framework of [40], we prove that solutions of the equation of motion driven by atomistic deformation energies converge to the solutions of the momentum equation for the corresponding continuum energy of linearized elasticity. By recasting the evolution problems in their equivalent energy-dissipation-inertia-principle form, we directly argue at the variational level of evolutionary $\Gamma$-convergence [32],[36]. This in particular ensures the pointwise in time convergence of the energies.

Abstract: The two-dimensional (2-D) Euler equations of a perfect fluid possess a beautiful geometric description: they are reduced geodesic equations on the infinite-dimensional Lie group of symplectomorphims with respect to a right-invariant Riemannian metric. This structure enables insights to Eulerian and Lagrangian stability via sectional curvature and Jacobi equations. The Zeitlin model is a finite-dimensional analog of the 2-D Euler equations; the only known discretization that preserves the rich geometric structure. Theoretical and numerical studies indicate that Zeitlin's model provides consistent long-time behaviour on large scales, but to which extent it truly reflects the Euler equations is mainly open. Towards progress, we give here two results. First, convergence of the sectional curvature in the Euler--Zeitlin equations on the Lie algebra $\mathfrak{su}(N)$ to that of the Euler equations on the sphere. Second, $L^2$-convergence of the corresponding Jacobi equations for Lagrangian and Eulerian stability. The results allow geometric conclusions about Zeitlin's model to be transferred to Euler's equations and vice versa, which might be central in the ultimate aim: to characterize the generic long-time behaviour in perfect 2-D fluids.

Abstract: This paper is devoted to studying the local behavior of non-negative weak solutions to the doubly non-linear parabolic equation \begin{equation*} \partial_t u^q - \text{div}\big(|D u|^{p-2}D u\big) = 0 \end{equation*} in a space-time cylinder. H\"older estimates are established for the gradient of its weak solutions in the super-critical fast diffusion regime $0<p-1< q<\frac{N(p-1)}{(N-p)_+}$ where $N$ is the space dimension. Moreover, decay estimates are obtained for weak solutions and their gradient in the vicinity of possible extinction time. Two main components towards these regularity estimates are a time-insensitive Harnack inequality that is particular about this regime, and Schauder estimates for the parabolic $p$-Laplace equation.

Abstract: One of the characteristic features of turbulent flows is the emergence of many vortices which interact, deform, and intersect, generating chaotic movement. The evolution of a pair of vortices, e.g. condensation trails of a plane, can be considered as a basic element of a turbulent flow. This simple example nevertheless demonstrates very rich behavior which still lacks a complete explanation. We present a new model describing these phenomena based on the approximation of an infinitely thin vortex, which allows us to focus on the chaotic movement of the vortex center line. The main advantage of the developed model consists in the ability to go beyond the reconnection time and to see the coherent structures. They turn to be very reminiscent to the ones obtained from the local induction approximation applied to a polygonal vortex. It can be considered as an evidence that a pair of vortices creates a corner singularity in the reconnection point.

Abstract: In this paper, we establish the large time asymptotic behavior of solutions to the linearized Vlasov-Poisson system near general spatially homogenous equilibria $\mu(\frac12|v|^2)$ with connected support on the whole space $\RR^3_x \times \RR^3_v$, including those that are non-monotone. The problem can be solved completely mode by mode for each spatial wave number, and their longtime dynamics is intimately tied to the ``survival threshold'' of wave numbers computed by $$\kappa_0^2 = 4\pi \int_0^\Upsilon \frac{u^2\mu(\frac12 u^2)}{\Upsilon^2-u^2} \;du$$ where $\Upsilon$ is the maximal speed of particle velocities. It is shown that purely oscillatory electric fields exist and obey a Klein-Gordon's type dispersion relation for wave numbers below the threshold, thus confirming the existence of Langmuir's oscillatory waves known in the physical literature. At the threshold, the phase velocity of these oscillatory waves enters the range of admissible particle velocities, namely there are particles that move at the same propagation speed of the waves. It is this exact resonant interaction between particles and the oscillatory fields that causes the waves to be damped, classically known as Landau damping. Landau's law of decay is explicitly computed and is sensitive to the decaying rate of the background equilibria. The faster it decays at the maximal velocity, the weaker Landau damping is. Beyond the threshold, the electric fields are a perturbation of those generated by the free transport dynamics and thus decay rapidly fast due to the phase mixing mechanism.

Abstract: We consider Alexander spirals with $M\geq 3$ branches, that is symmetric logarithmic spiral vortex sheets. We show that such vortex sheets are linearly unstable in the $L^\infty$ (Kelvin-Helmholtz) sense, as solutions to the Birkhoff-Rott equation. To this end we consider Fourier modes in a logarithmic variable to identify unstable solutions with polynomial growth in time.

Abstract: The linear Boltzmann equation governs the absorption and scattering of a population of particles in a medium with an ambient field, represented by a Riemannian metric, where particles follow geodesics. In this paper, we study the possible issues of uniqueness and stability in recovering the absorption and scattering coefficients from the boundary knowledge of the albedo operator. The albedo operator takes the incoming flux to the outgoing flux at the boundary. For simple compact Riemannian manifolds of dimension $n \geq 2$, we study the stability of the absorption coefficient from the albedo operator up to a gauge transformation. We derive that when the absorption coefficient is isotropic then the albedo operator determines uniquely the absorption coefficient and we establish a stability estimate. We also give an identification result for the reconstruction of the scattering parameter. The approach in this work is based on the construction of suitable geometric optics solutions and the use of the invertibility of the geodesic ray transform.