Questions tagged [ap.analysis-of-pdes]
Partial differential equations (PDEs): Existence and uniqueness, regularity, boundary conditions, linear and non-linear operators, stability, soliton theory, integrable PDEs, conservation laws, qualitative dynamics.
359 questions
39
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Why is there a connection between enumerative geometry and nonlinear waves?
Recently I encountered in a class the fact that there is a generating function of Gromov–Witten invariants that satisfies the Korteweg–de Vries hierarchy. Let me state the fact more precisely. ...
11
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Elliptic operators corresponds to non vanishing vector fields
Added, June 19, 2019: The main motivation of this post is to associate an index to differential operator associated to a dynamical system such that the index has an interesting ...
51
votes
1
answer
6k
views
Unconditional nonexistence for the heat equation with rapidly growing data?
Consider the initial value problem
$$ \partial_t u = \partial_{xx} u$$
$$ u(0,x) = u_0(x)$$
for the heat equation in one dimension, where $u_0: {\bf R} \to {\bf R}$ is a smooth initial datum and $u: [...
14
votes
1
answer
1k
views
When is a given matrix of two forms a curvature form?
Let's assume we are working over $\mathbb{R}^n$ (but feel free to change to domain to answer the question). I wish to know if the equation $F = dA + A \wedge A$ can be solved for a matrix of 1-forms $...
11
votes
3
answers
882
views
Reference request: Systems of linear PDES with constant coefficients
I am looking for a reference for the following statement:
Assume that $P_1, \dots, P_k \in \mathbb R[x_1, \dots, x_m]$ and consider a system of PDEs
\begin{align}
P_i(\partial / \partial x_1, \dots, \...
4
votes
1
answer
848
views
Does $P_xP_y+Q_xQ_y=0 \implies$ "non-existence of limit cycle" for $P\partial_x+Q\partial_y$"? (Complex dilatation and limit cycle theory)
Let $X=P\partial_x+Q\partial_y$ be a vector field on the plane $\mathbb{R}^2$. Assume that we have :$$P_xP_y+Q_xQ_y=0$$ Does this imply that the vector field $X$ is a divergence-free vector field ...
126
votes
15
answers
15k
views
Does Physics need non-analytic smooth functions?
Observing the behaviour of a few physicists "in nature", I had the impression that among the mathematical tools they use a lot (along with possibly much more sofisticated maths, of course), ...
19
votes
5
answers
2k
views
"Physical" construction of nonconstant meromorphic functions on compact Riemann surfaces?
Miranda's book on Riemann surfaces ignores the analytical details of proving that compact Riemann surfaces admit nonconstant meromorphic functions, preferring instead to work out the algebraic ...
5
votes
1
answer
414
views
Fredholm index vs. Limit cycle theory
Let $A$ be the algebra of all smooth functions $f: \mathbb{R}^2 \to \mathbb{R}$ such that $f$ is flat at the origin and is real analytic on $\mathbb{R}^2 \setminus \{0\}$.
Let $B $ be ...
4
votes
1
answer
597
views
Meaning of Alberti rank-one theorem
Heuristically what does Alberti's rank-one theorem imply about the structure of a $\mathrm{BV}$ vector field $\boldsymbol{b}$?
Is it rigorously fair to say that the level lines of $\boldsymbol{b}$ ...
2
votes
0
answers
187
views
Role of absolute continuity of divergence of BV function in proof of renormalization property
In the paper http://cvgmt.sns.it/paper/436/, the author proves the renormalization property for the flow generated by a vector field $a(t,\cdot) \in BV(\mathbb{R}^N; \mathbb{R}^N)$.
Heuristically, ...
77
votes
7
answers
21k
views
What is the symbol of a differential operator?
I find Wikipedia's discussion of symbols of differential operators a bit impenetrable, and Google doesn't seem to turn up useful links, so I'm hoping someone can point me to a more pedantic discussion....
29
votes
1
answer
3k
views
The Riemann zeros and the heat equation
The Riemann xi function $\Xi(x)$ is defined, with $s=1/2+ix$, as
$$
\Xi(x)=\frac12 s(s-1)\pi^{-s/2}\Gamma(s/2)\zeta(s)=2\int_0^\infty \Phi(u)\cos(ux) \, du,
$$
where $\Phi(u)$ is defined as
$$
2\sum_{...
27
votes
2
answers
8k
views
Compact embeddings of Sobolev spaces: a counterexample showing the Rellich-Kondrachov theorem is sharp
Let $U$ be an open bounded subset of $\mathbb{R}^n$ with $C^{1}$ boundary. Let $1 \leq p < n$ and $p^{\ast} = pn/(n-p)$. Then the Sobolev space $W^{1,p}(U)$ is contained $L^{p^{\ast}}(U)$ and ...
12
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Short time existence on nonlinear parabolic PDE
I saw several papers that without proof accept the fact "Short time existence on nonlinear parabolic PDE" is there any affirmative proof of this fact?
in which book we have this fact, the number of ...
9
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Density of smooth functions on Hölder spaces
The following result is often cited without reference in the context of PDEs:
Let $\varOmega \subset\mathbb R^n$ be a bounded open set with smooth boundary. If $0<\beta<\alpha<1$ then $C^\...
8
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Solutions to the eikonal equation
Theorem. Let V be a $C^\infty$ function on a riemannian manifold $M$ and $p$ be a nondegenerate local minimum with $V(p)=0$. Then there is a unique positive function $\varphi \in C^\infty(U)$ such ...
8
votes
1
answer
380
views
Lavrentiev phenomenon between $C^1$ and Lipschitz
Does there exist a (onedimensional) integral functional of calculus of variations (with $f$ finite everywhere)
$$
F(y)=\int_a^b f(t,y(t),y'(t))\,dt
$$
such that
$$
\inf_{y\in Lip([a,b])}F(y)<\inf_{...
7
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Willmore minimizers for genus $\geq 2$
For an immersed closed surface $f: \Sigma \rightarrow \mathbb R^3$ the Willmore functional is defined as
$$
\cal W(f) = \int _{\Sigma} \frac{1}{4} |\vec H|^2 d \mu_g,
$$
where $\vec H$ is the mean ...
6
votes
1
answer
474
views
Proof that $L^2(0,T;X)^* = L^2(0,T;X^*)$
How is the proof that
$$[L^2(0,T;X)]' = L^2(0,T;X')$$
looking like, where $X$ is a Hilbert space? I am asking for the proof that the dual space of $L^2(0,T;X)$ is the space $L^2(0,T;X^*)$.
Is the ...
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
propagation of singularities & the Schrodinger equation
I've been thinking about the following propagation of singularities result:
Let $X$ be a compact manifold, and let $P$ be a differential operator (of, say, order $m$) on $X$ whose principal symbol $\...
6
votes
1
answer
696
views
Reference request: optimal $L^p$ regularity for solutions to $-\Delta u=f$ with $f\in L^1(R^d)$
The tilte says it all. Given $f\in L^1(R^d)$ (let me restrict to dimension $d\geq 3$ for convenience), what is the optimal $L^p$ regularity for solutions to
$$
-\Delta u=f\hspace{3cm}(1)?
$$
I'm of ...
5
votes
1
answer
395
views
Universal decay rate of the Fisher information along the heat flow
I'm looking for a reference for the following fact: In the torus $\mathbb T^d$ let me denote by $u_t=u(t,x)$ the (unique, distributional) solution of the heat equation
$$
\partial_t u=\Delta u
$$
...
4
votes
1
answer
447
views
A Liouville theorem involving an advection term
I am curious whether there are any Liouville theorems for the following pde:
$$ - \Delta \phi(x) + a(x) \cdot \nabla \phi(x)=0 \qquad \mbox{in } R^N $$
where $a(x)$ is a smooth bounded vector field ...
2
votes
1
answer
308
views
Elliptic problem on a domain split in two subdomains
Consider the following elliptic problem in a split domain:
$$ (\ast) \quad\begin{cases} -\Delta u=f_1 \quad &\text{ in } U_1\\
-\Delta u =f_2 & \text{ in }
U_2\\
u=g & \text{ on } \...
2
votes
1
answer
149
views
Surveys/monographs on the vortex filament equation
Where can I find surveys on the mathematical aspects of the vortex filament equation?
In particular, I'm interested in the following topics:
physical motivation;
notion of solutions and ...
2
votes
1
answer
165
views
Boundary condition for elliptic problems and domain decomposition
This question is motivated by one that has been previously asked on this website: Elliptic problem on a domain split in two subdomains
Consider an open domain $U$ split in two non-overlapping ...
0
votes
1
answer
124
views
Relationship between the vortex filament equation and the cubic Schrödinger equation
How is the vortex filament equation
$$\partial_t \chi = \partial_s \chi \wedge \partial_{ss} \chi,$$
where $\chi(t,s)$ is a curve in $\mathbb R^3$,
related to the cubic Schrödinger equation?
Note 1. ...
84
votes
10
answers
25k
views
Why can't there be a general theory of nonlinear PDE?
Lawrence Evans wrote in discussing the work of Lions fils that
there is in truth no central core
theory of nonlinear partial
differential equations, nor can there
be. The sources of partial
...
52
votes
6
answers
10k
views
Which nonlinear PDEs are of interest to algebraic geometers and why?
Motivation
I have recently started thinking about the interrelations among algebraic geometry and nonlinear PDEs. It is well known that the methods and ideas of algebraic geometry have lead to a ...
39
votes
5
answers
5k
views
Explicit eigenvalues of the Laplacian
Let $(M,g)$ be a compact manifold without boundary.
Question: For which $(M,g)$ are the eigenvalues of the Laplace operator on functions explicitly known?
An important example is the $n$-sphere ...
37
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Which differential equations allow for a variational formulation?
Many ODE's and PDE's arising in nature have a variational formulation. An example of what I mean is the following. Classical motions are solutions $q(t)$ to Lagrange's equation
$$
\frac{d}{dt}\frac{\...
30
votes
8
answers
4k
views
Applications of microlocal analysis?
What examples are there of striking applications of the ideas of microlocal analysis?
Ideally I'm looking for specific results in any of the relevant fields (PDE, algebraic/differential geometry/...
18
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Poincare lemma for non-smooth differentiable forms
The Poincare lemma is almost always formulated for differential forms with smooth coefficients (or sometimes for currents that have distributional coefficients). I would like to have it for $C^k$-...
16
votes
2
answers
766
views
Surjectivity of curl
Let: $\mathbb R^3\ni x\mapsto v(x)\in\mathbb R^3$ be a vector field with null divergence belonging to the Schwartz class such that
$$
\int_{\mathbb R^3} v(x) dx=0.
$$
Is it true that there exists a ...
13
votes
3
answers
986
views
A conformal map whose Jacobian vanishes at a point is constant?
Let $f:M \to N$ be a smooth weakly conformal map between connected $d$-dimensional Riemannian manifolds, i.e. $f$ satisfies $df^Tdf =(\det df)^{\frac{2}{d}} \, \text{Id}_{TM}$.
Assume $d \ge 3$ ...
12
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Density of smooth functions in Sobolev spaces on manifolds
Hebbey defines the Sobolev space of functions on a Riemannian manifold (M,g) as the completion of smooth functions under the Sobolev norm. However, I have seen (elsewhere) that Sobolev spaces have ...
12
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Reference request: Simple facts about vector-valued Sobolev space
Let $V,H$ be separable Hilbert spaces such that there are dense injections $V \hookrightarrow H \hookrightarrow V^*$. (For example, $H = L^2(\mathbb{R}^n)$, $V = H^1(\mathbb{R}^n)$, $V^* = H^{-1}(\...
11
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Fundamental solution of an elliptic PDE in divergence form with non-symmetric matrix
I am looking for the fundamental solution of the following PDE
$$\partial_i (a^{ij}\partial_j u)=f$$
where $a^{ij}(x)$ is a non-symmetric matrix with possibly non-constant coefficients.
I could find a ...
10
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Characterize where the Dirichlet Problem for the Laplacian is always solvable
Conway's 1978 textbook Functions of One Complex Variable I gives an unsatisfying characterization of the regions for which the Dirichlet Problem can always be solved, and then comments no cleaner ...
10
votes
1
answer
523
views
Linearization instability and singular points of algebraic varieties
In a well known 1973 paper, Fischer and Marsden pointed out (with similar, contemporary remarks made in the physics literature by Brill and Deser) that the space of solutions of some non-linear ...
9
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Traces of Sobolev spaces
Is there a simple proof of the following fact?
Theorem. Let $\Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^n$ be a bounded and smooth domain. If $n>2$, then $W^{1,n-1}(\partial\Omega)\subset
W^{1-\frac{1}{n},n}(\...
9
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Rate of convergence of smooth mollifiers
How does one figure out/prove the rate of convergence (in some norm) of mollifiers given a function bounded in some other norm (say Sobolev space, Besov space)? Also, is there a dimensional analysis ...
9
votes
1
answer
602
views
When does the eikonal equation $\lvert Du \rvert^2 = f$ admit a local solution?
Let $f$ be a smooth function defined on the unit disc $D \subset \mathbf{R}^2$ with
\begin{equation}
f \geq 0 \text{ in $D$ and } f(0) = 0.
\end{equation}
This is allowed to have a degenerate minimum ...
9
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Newlander-Nirenberg for surfaces
Quite a long ago, I tried to work out explicitly the content of the Newlander-Nirenberg theorem. My aim was trying to understand wether a direct proof could work in the simplest possible case, namely ...
8
votes
3
answers
1k
views
How to find the associated conservation law from a given symmetry
It is a very well-known fact that any conservation law associated with some given PDE has an associated invariance (by Noether's Theorem). However, it is completely mysterious for me how to compute/...
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Estimates on the Green function of an elliptic second order differential operator.
Let $D$ be a linear differential elliptic operator of second order
with infinitely smooth coefficients acting on real valued functions
on a compact manifold $M$. Let us assume that $D$ has no free ...
8
votes
3
answers
859
views
Books and resources on PDEs that use Mathematica and Matlab
Can you recommend some reference books that use software like MATLAB and Mathematica to deal with the basic topics in
analysis of PDE (the ones you can find in Strauss' book Partial Differential ...
7
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Uniform bound on the eigenfunctions of the Laplacian
Is it possibly to have $L_\infty$ bounds on the eigenfunctions of the Laplacian operator on bounded regular domains with Dirichlet condition? I found several papers by Sogge but these are pretty ...
7
votes
2
answers
851
views
Proof of Littman-Stampacchia-Weinberger theorem on the fundamental solution for elliptic PDEs
Where can I find a (readable and self-contained) proof of the following result?
Let $\Omega$ be a Lipschitz domain of $\mathbb{R}^n$, with $B(0,1) \subset \Omega$. Let $u$ be the solution of $$-\...