Homogenization of Hamilton-Jacobi equations

Speaker: 

Adam Oberman

Institution: 

Simon Fraser University

Time: 

Monday, November 16, 2009 - 4:00pm

Location: 

RH 306

In this work we present and efficient approach to homogenization for a class of static Hamilton-Jacobi (HJ) equations, which we call metric HJ equations. We relate the solutions of the HJ equations to the distance function in a corresponding Riemannian or Finslerian metric. The metric approach allows us to conclude that the homogenized equation also induces a metric. The advantage of the method is that we can solve just one auxiliary equation to recover the homogenized Hamiltonian. This is significant improvement over existing methods which require the solution of the cell problem (or a variational problem) for each value of p. Computational results are presented and compared with analytic results when available for piece-wise constant periodic and random speed functions.

We will also discuss some recent results on homogenization of second order fully nonlinear equations.

Sharp bounds for eigenvalues of triangles

Speaker: 

Professor Bartlomiej Siudeja

Institution: 

UIUC

Time: 

Tuesday, October 6, 2009 - 4:00pm

Location: 

RH 306

Eigenvalues of the Laplacian on triangular domains cannot be computed exactly, in general. But the triangles that extremize the first eigenvalue (the fundamental tone of the membrane) often turn out to be equilateral, or degenerate in some way. These special triangles give sharp eigenvalue bounds for the general case.

Among all triangles with fixed diameter, we prove the degenerate acute isosceles triangle minimizes the Neumann fundamental tone. In the other direction, if we fix perimeter (or area) then the equilateral triangle maximizes the Neumann fundamental tone. Our approach involves variational principles and geometric transformations of the domain, and relies on the explicit formulas for eigenfunctions of equilateral triangles and circular sectors. We also prove symmetry/antisymmetry for eigenfunctions of isosceles triangles.

Infinity Laplace Equation With Non-Trivial Right-Hand-Side (a joint work with Guozhen Lu)

Speaker: 

Professor Peiyong Wang

Institution: 

Wayne State University

Time: 

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 3:00pm

Location: 

RH 306

The set of continuous viscosity solutions of the infinity Laplace
equation $-\bigtriangleup^N_{\infty}w(x) = f(x)$ with generally
sign-changing right-hand-side $f$ in a bounded domain is analyzed.
The existence of a least and a greatest continuous viscosity
solutions up to the boundary is proved through a Perron's
construction by means of a strict comparison principle. These
extremal solutions are proved to be absolutely extremal solutions.

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