Questions tagged [calculus-of-variations]
Questions on the calculus of variations, which deals with the optimization of functionals mostly defined on infinite dimensional spaces.
546
questions
1
vote
0
answers
34
views
How can we calculate the Euler-lagrange equations?
In this paper https://arxiv.org/pdf/1907.09605.pdf \
let $\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^n$ with $n \geq 1$ be a bounded Lipschitz domain with boundary $\partial \Omega$, $f: \Omega \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ ...
3
votes
0
answers
61
views
Surface terms in the calculus of variations on jet bundles
Let $\pi:N\rightarrow M$ be a fibered manifold with $m=\dim M$ and $m+n=\dim N$. The variational bicomplex on the infinite jet space $J^\infty(\pi)$ is denoted $(\Omega^{k,l}(\pi),\delta,\mathbf d)$ ...
-3
votes
1
answer
60
views
Minimal norm problem with linear combination of translation operator to be estimated
Follow up question from this one
Suppose $X = L^2(G)$, where $G$ is some locally compact group. Let $x, y \in G$ I for fixed $n$ I am seeking for an operator $H \in B(X)$ of the form
$$
H = H(\alpha_1,...
2
votes
0
answers
50
views
A question about considering the solution of elliptic PDE with complex Laplacian as the critical point of a functional
I'm considering the elliptic PDE with complex Laplacian, for example, write $$
\Delta_c(\cdot):=-g^{i \bar{j}} \partial_i \partial_{\bar{j}}(\cdot),
$$
and $$\Delta_c(u)=f,$$
by [P.Gauduchon, Math.Ann,...
3
votes
0
answers
56
views
About the naturality of Krasnoselskii genus on Variational Methods
I have recently watched a seminar about Variational Methods from Mónica Clapp and she gave a very interesting motivation of why the Lusternik–Schnirelmann category (click on the link for the ...
1
vote
0
answers
43
views
Optimal orbital tranfers: reference for statements & proofs
I know that Pontryagin's contribution to optimal control in the 1950'ies was allegedly inspired by the then-nascent rocket industry and the question of how to get a rocket into orbit with minimum fuel....
13
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How to get to the earliest time zone?
You are in a plane at some point on Earth. You want to be at the earliest time zone possible at the end of your flight. What is the optimal path to take?
Formally, fix spherical coordinates $(\theta, \...
0
votes
1
answer
72
views
Equi-coercivity of functionals on a metric space
Definition: A family of functionals $\{F_n: X\to\bar{\mathbb R}\}$ on a metric space $X$ is said to be equi-coercive if, for every $\alpha \in \mathbb{R}$, there is a compact set $K_\alpha$ of $X$ ...
1
vote
1
answer
85
views
How to interpret the vector fields $F_p(x,u,Du)$ in a Lagrangian optimization problem
Let $\Omega$ be an open bounded subset of $\mathbb{R}^n$ with $C^1$ boundary. Let
$$
\begin{matrix}
F: \mathbb{R}^n \times \mathbb{R}^N \times \mathbb{R}^{nN} \to \mathbb{R},& \\
(x,z,p) \mapsto F(...
2
votes
0
answers
65
views
Question about the ''crater'' in mountain-pass theorem while reading a paper of solving mean-field equation by mountain-pass theorem
Actually, I'm reading a paper which finds the saddle point of a functional, of course the unbounded below energy functional will suggest a potential saddle, but the structure of mountain pass is the ...
2
votes
0
answers
38
views
Functional of fully nonlinear equations
Let $\left(\mathcal{M}, g_0\right)$ be a compact Riemannian manifold of dimension $n>2$ and denote by 'Ric' and $R$ respectively the Ricci tensor and the scalar curvature. The $k$-Yamabe problem is ...
3
votes
2
answers
458
views
A problem about how dominated convergence is used in the analysis of variation
I'm reading Existence of solutions to a higher dimensional mean-field equation on manifolds and get stuck on Lemma6. When $\lambda>\Lambda_1$, with $\Lambda_1=(2 m-1) ! \operatorname{vol}\left(S^{2 ...
1
vote
0
answers
70
views
On Talenti's proof of optimal constant in Sobolev inequality
I'm reading the paper by Giorgio Talenti on the best constant for the Sobolev inequality.
The main theorem states that for $u:\mathbb{R}^m\rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ sufficiently smooth (eg. Lipschitz) ...
5
votes
1
answer
765
views
Weak convergence + convergence of the norm implies strong convergence in Orlicz spaces
It is known [1, proposition 3.32] and a classical trick in PDEs that, in any uniformly convex Banach space $X$, weak convergence $x_n\rightharpoonup x$ together with convergence of the norm $\|x_n\|_X\...
1
vote
0
answers
81
views
Periodic orbits in planar smooth billiard table with large periods
Given a plane billiard table with a smooth boundary which is a Jordan curve, I wonder if there is always a periodic orbit with sufficiently large period.
Formulation of my question: We are considering ...
17
votes
1
answer
1k
views
What variational problem does the parabolic suspension bridge solve?
(Posted to MSE here, no answers)
The catenary curve $y(x)$ minimizes the gravitational potential energy
$$\int \rho g y\,ds=\int \rho g y \sqrt{1+y'^2}dx,$$
subject to a fixed length, $L=\int \sqrt{1+...
3
votes
1
answer
128
views
Is every area-minimizing cone a level set of a least-gradient function?
Let $\mathbf{C}^n \subset \mathbf{R}^{n+1}$ be a minimizing cone with an isolated singularity. One example, in a space of even dimension, i.e. if $\mathbf{R}^{n+1} = \mathbf{R}^{2m}$, is the Simons ...
8
votes
1
answer
386
views
Is there an infinite dimensional Stein's lemma?
Classical Stein's lemma says that if $\mathbf{X}$ is a centered Gaussian random vector and $g$ is a function which is nice enough, we have
$$
\mathbb{E} \, X_i \, g ( \mathbf{X} )
= \sum_k \...
6
votes
1
answer
759
views
A Poincaré-like inequality
Is it true that for some real $K>0$ and all real $u\in C_0^\infty((0,1))$ we have
$$\int_0^1 (u'(x)^2+u(x)^2)\,dx\,\int_0^1 u(x)^2\,dx
\le K\Big(\int_0^1 x\,u'(x)^2\,dx\Big)^2\text{ ?}$$
0
votes
1
answer
105
views
Integral inner product with exponential function
Suppose on some unknown interval $[0, I]$ we have non-negative functions $f, g : [0, I] \rightarrow \mathbb{R}^{\geq 0}$.
If we know that
\begin{aligned}
\int_0^I f & = c \\
\int_0^I e^f & = e^...
1
vote
0
answers
86
views
Definition of stable solution of elliptic PDE and the classification of the solution (as the critical points of energy functional)
My questions arise from Here, it seems that I didn't give a clear question, so I rephrase my questions here.
For example, for $$
-\Delta u=f(u) \quad \text { in } \Omega,
$$
we call a solution is ...
2
votes
0
answers
153
views
A naive question about the stable solution and Morse index of elliptic PDE
For example, for $$
-\Delta u=f(u) \quad \text { in } \Omega,
$$
we call a solution is stable if
$$
Q_u(\varphi):=\int_{\Omega}|\nabla \varphi|^2 d x-\int_{\Omega} f^{\prime}(u) \varphi^2 d x \geq 0, \...
2
votes
0
answers
78
views
relative entropy, Fisher information, and metric slope for non-convex domains
$\newcommand{\R}{\mathbb R}$ If $\Omega\subset \R^d$ is a convex domain it is well-known that the relative entropy
$$
\mathcal H(\rho)=
\int_{\Omega}\rho\log\rho \ \mathrm{d}x
\qquad \mbox{for }\rho=...
3
votes
0
answers
116
views
Is Stokes equation a saddle point problem or a minimum problem?
Consider $\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^2 $ (or $\mathbb{R}^3$). The well known stationary Stokes equations in the incompressible case are
\begin{equation}
\begin{cases}
- \Delta u + \nabla p = f \text{ ...
2
votes
1
answer
113
views
Generalize the conception of 'stable' solution and 'stable outside a compact set' solution of elliptic PDE from $\mathbb{R}^n$ to closed manifold
I want to talk about generalizing the conception of 'stable' solution and 'stable outside the compact set' solution of elliptic PDE from $\mathbb{R}^n$ to closed manifold.
I'm reading $\Delta u +e^u=0$...
2
votes
1
answer
209
views
Given an eigenvalue equation (elliptic PDE) in a ball $B_R$, prove the convergence of the first nonzero $\lambda_R$ and its eigenfunction $\phi_R$
Let $H: \mathbf{R}^n \rightarrow \mathbf{R}$ be a bounded continuous function. Set
$$\tag{1}
\int_{\mathbf{R}^n}\left\{|\nabla \xi|^2+H(x) \xi^2\right\} \mathrm{d} x \geqslant 0, \quad \forall \xi \in ...
3
votes
1
answer
410
views
Integrability of Schroedinger's equation
Consider the periodic nonlinear Schrödinger equation
$$-i \partial_t u + \Delta u = f(|u|)u, \qquad u=u(t,x) \in \mathbb{C}, \; t\in \mathbb{R}, \; x\in \mathbb{T}^n,$$
where $\mathbb{T}:= \mathbb{R}/\...
4
votes
1
answer
154
views
Uniqueness of critical points for Lipschitz perturbations of uniformly convex Hamiltonians
Consider a macroscopic free energy functional of the form
$$\mathcal{F}_\beta(\mu):= \frac{1}{\beta}\int_{\mathbb{R}^d}\log(\mu)\mu dx + \int_{\mathbb{R}^d}V(x)\mu(x)dx + \iint_{(\mathbb{R}^d)^2}g(x-y)...
0
votes
0
answers
44
views
A dilemma in a lemma regarding Hexagonal Fuzzy approximation of parabolic fuzzy number
I was reading Nayagam & Murugan - Hexagonal fuzzy approximation of fuzzy numbers and its applications in MCDM paper regarding hexagonal fuzzy approximation. In that, the statement of Lemma 3.1 and ...
0
votes
1
answer
63
views
Continuity of generalised Legendre transform
Let $X$ and $Y$ be $\sigma$-compact spaces, and $\mu$ [resp. $\nu$] be a regular Borel probability measure on $X$ [resp. $Y$].
For a bounded continuous $c:X\times Y\rightarrow\mathbb{R}$, we consider ...
1
vote
1
answer
95
views
Optimization on non-convex set
Let $\Omega$ be an open bounded subset of $\mathbb{R}^2$ and $f\in L^2(\Omega)$ be a given function. Consider the optimization problem
$$\mathrm{min} \int_\Omega u(x) f(x) \,dx\,,$$
where a minimum is ...
1
vote
1
answer
96
views
Linear response for SDE
Consider a family of stochastic processes $dX^h_t=(g(X^h_t)+h(s))\,dt+dW_t$ and a functional $I_f:h(s) \rightarrow E[f(X_t^h)] $. I would like to compute the kernel of the derivative of this ...
2
votes
0
answers
68
views
Extremizing the integral part of an integro-differential equation
Consider the problem of finding a continuously twice-differentiable function $x(t)$ which extremizes the convergent improper integral
\begin{equation}
I=\int_{-\infty}^{t} f(x,s)\mathop{ds}
\end{...
1
vote
1
answer
149
views
How to find critical points of functionals when there is a boundary?
Banach spaces have a relatively uninteresting topology, because they are contractible. This prevents the direct application of Morse-like min-max arguments to establish the existence of critical ...
3
votes
1
answer
271
views
Thin-Plate-Spline understanding and solution
This is a migrated question from: Thin-Plate-Spline understanding and solution.
If I need to delete one of the questions let me know. I was suggested to post it here as well.
As I understand it a Thin-...
-1
votes
2
answers
328
views
Conditional expectation: commuting integration and supremum
Let $X$ and $A$ be compact Polish spaces endowed with Borel $\sigma$-algebras. Let $\mathcal{A} = X\times \mathcal{B}(A)$ be the $\sigma$-algebra consisting of cylinders whose projections on $A$ are ...
2
votes
0
answers
40
views
$1$-parameter family of metrics preserving the normal direction
Let $(M^n,g)$ be a compact Riemannian manifold with boundary, $n \geq 2$, and let $N$ be the unit outward normal to $\partial M$. Denote by $S^2(M)$ the symmetric covariant $2$-tensors, by $S^2_0(M)$ ...
2
votes
1
answer
291
views
How to solve an optimization problem whose optimization variable is a function?
I would like to find an optimal probability density function (PDF) $f$. Given $b$,
$$ \begin{array}{ll} \underset {f} {\text{minimize}} & C \\ \text{subject to} & 1 + \frac{b}{x} \displaystyle\...
3
votes
0
answers
153
views
A variant of the Laplace principle
$\newcommand{\R}{\mathbb R}\newcommand{\eps}{\varepsilon}$In $\R^d$ I am given a sequence of smooth functions $f_\eps(x)$ that converges uniformly to some $f(x)$, which is assumed to be a good rate ...
1
vote
0
answers
86
views
Nonlocal elliptic problem - what is its associated energy?
It is well known that for any smooth domain $\Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^N$ the energy functional (the one for which the Euler-Lagrange equation is our b.v.p.) associated to the following local problem:
$$...
0
votes
0
answers
64
views
Euler-Lagrange equation with extra variable under integral. (Reference request)
Assume that we have a functional to optimize of the form $$\iiint L[x, f_y(y, z), f_z(y,z)]dxdydz.$$
As one may notice, the optimized function $f$ depends only on $y$ and $z$, which means that writing ...
5
votes
0
answers
103
views
Varifold convergence of images of Sobolev maps
Suppose I have a sequence of maps $\{f_k:\Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^n\rightarrow\mathbb{R}^{n+1}\}$ such that:
$f_k\rightharpoonup f_*$ weakly in $W^{1,p}(\Omega,\mathbb{R}^{n+1})$,
The images $\Sigma_k:...
5
votes
0
answers
101
views
What normal variational vector fields are allowed for the area to be preserved?
Let $(M^3,g)$ be a Riemannian manifold with boundary and let $\varphi : \Sigma \to M$ be a two-sided proper embedding of a compact surface with boundary, with unit normal $N$.
If $\varphi$ is not ...
1
vote
2
answers
206
views
How much "room" in inequality $\displaystyle \int_a^b \varphi' ov ~\mathrm{d}x \leq 0$
Let $[a, b]$ be a nonempty interval, $o \in C^1([a, b])$ be such that $o>0$ and $o'<0$ and assume we found some $v \in L^\infty(\mathbb{R})$ such that
\begin{equation}\tag{1}\label{1}
\int_a^b \...
1
vote
0
answers
84
views
Reference request: theory for local minimizers in the calculus of variations
Let $F: \mathbb{R}^n \times \mathbb{R} \times \mathbb{R}^n \to \mathbb{R}$ be the Lagrangian. We say that $f \in X$ is a local minimizer of the variational integral if for all compact sets $C \subset \...
2
votes
0
answers
60
views
Defining minimality 'through deformations'
Let $U \subset \mathbf{R}^{n+k}$ be a bounded open set, and $T \in \mathbf{I}_n(U)$ be an $n$-dimensional integral rectifiable current. Say that $T$ is stationary through (homological) deformations if ...
2
votes
0
answers
52
views
A variational problem
I was studying the paper "Non-holonomic Euler-Poincaré equations and stability in Chaplygin's sphere" by D. Schneider (2002). A non-holonomic constraint - see equation (24) - is expressed as
...
3
votes
1
answer
281
views
Are all Helmholtz decompositions related?
Suppose $V\subset \mathbb{R}^3$ be non-empty and at least twice differentiable (Smooth) and let $S$ be the surface that encloses $V$ (for example a sphere). Let $\textbf{F}\in \mathbb{R}^3$ be a ...
3
votes
1
answer
137
views
Is this map (from the space of probability densities to the Wasserstein space) Lipschitz?
Let $p \in [1, \infty)$. Let $\mathcal P_p(\mathbb R^d)$ be the space of all Borel probability measures on $\mathbb R^d$ with finite $p$-th moments. Let $D_p$ be the collection of all Borel measurable ...
1
vote
1
answer
229
views
Integral identity for critical points of the Ginzburg-Landau functional
I am reading a paper of Comte and Mironescu [CM96], where they discuss critical points $v = v_{\epsilon}: G \to \mathbf{C}$ of the (non-magnetic) Ginzburg–Landau functional
$E_\epsilon(v) = \frac{1}{2}...