# Maximum principle for heat equation on infinite domain

Let $u(x, t)$ be a solution of $u_t=u_{xx}$ in the domain $x>0, t>0$. We also have the initial condition $u(x,0)=g(x)$ and the boundary condition $u(0,t)=h(t)$. Do we have maximum principle in this case? Can we conclude that $u(x,t)$ is bounded if we assume both $g$ and $h$ are bounded? If not, what additional condition shall we impose? Thanks!

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## 1 Answer

You need essentially the same condition as in the case of the domain $x\in\mathbb R$. That is, $$u(x,t)=o(e^{\epsilon|x|^2})$$ for every $\epsilon>0$.

Edit. Tikhonov provided an example of a non-trivial solution of the heat equation on the domain $\mathbb R$, with zero data. Take either its odd part, or the derivative of its even part with respect to $x$. It is a non-trivial solution of the heat equation in the domain $(0,+\infty)$ with zero Dirichlet boundary condition and zero initial data. If such a principle as the one considered by the MO author existed, this solution would be trivial.

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Thank you. Could you please point me to some good references about this topic? –  Chong Luo Feb 22 '12 at 0:28
Is there a counter-example that the conclusion is not true if we don't assume this condition? Thanks! –  Chong Luo Feb 22 '12 at 0:30
@Chong. See my Edit. –  Denis Serre Feb 22 '12 at 13:00
Thanks! That's very helpful. –  Chong Luo Feb 22 '12 at 13:07
It seems that this should be for some $\epsilon >0$, not every. –  JCM Jun 4 '14 at 13:21