Calculus of Variations and Geometric Measure Theory

A. Chambolle - M. Novaga

$L^1$-gradient flow of convex functionals

created by novaga on 07 Oct 2022
modified on 03 Sep 2024

[BibTeX]

Published Paper

Inserted: 7 oct 2022
Last Updated: 3 sep 2024

Journal: SIAM J. Math. Anal.
Volume: 56
Number: 5
Pages: 5747-5781
Year: 2024
Doi: 10.1137/22M1527556

ArXiv: 2302.12786 PDF

Abstract:

We are interested in the gradient flow of a general first order convex functional with respect to the $L^1$-topology. By means of an implicit minimization scheme, we show existence of a global limit solution, which satisfies an energy-dissipation estimate, and solves a non-linear and non-local gradient flow equation, under the assumption of strong convexity of the energy. Under a monotonicity assumption we can also prove uniqueness of the limit solution, even though this remains an open question in full generality. We also consider a geometric evolution corresponding to the $L^1$-gradient flow of the anisotropic perimeter. When the initial set is convex, we show that the limit solution is monotone for the inclusion, convex and unique until it reaches the Cheeger set of the initial datum. Eventually, we show with some examples that uniqueness cannot be expected in general in the geometric case.