Calculus of Variations and Geometric Measure Theory

E. Serra - P. Tilli

Nonlinear wave equations as limits of convex minimization problems: proof of a conjecture by De Giorgi

created by tilli on 16 Nov 2012

[BibTeX]

Published Paper

Inserted: 16 nov 2012
Last Updated: 16 nov 2012

Journal: Annals of Mathematics
Volume: 175
Number: 3
Pages: 1551-1574
Year: 2012
Links: Journal page

Abstract:

We prove a conjecture by De Giorgi, which states that global weak solutions of nonlinear wave equations such as can be obtained as limits of functions that minimize suitable functionals of the calculus of variations. These functionals, which are integrals in space-time of a convex Lagrangian, contain an exponential weight with a parameter , and the initial data of the wave equation serve as boundary conditions. As tends to zero, the minimizers converge, up to subsequences, to a solution of the nonlinear wave equation. There is no restriction on the nonlinearity exponent, and the method is easily extended to more general equations.