Let {Tsub(p) : q1 ≤ p ≤ q2} be a family of consistent Csub(0) semigroups on Lφ(Ω) with q1, q2 ∈ [1, ∞)and Ω ⊆ IRn open. We show that certain commutator conditions on Tφ and on the resolvent of its generator Aφ ensure the φ independence of the spectrum of Aφ for φ ∈ [q1, q2]. Applications include the case of Petrovskij correct systems with Hölder continuous coeffcients, Schrödinger operators, and certain elliptic operators in divergence form with real, but not necessarily symmetric, or complex coeffcients.

I consider Dirichlet eigenvalues for an elliptic system in a region that consists of two domains joined by a thin tube. Under quite general conditions, I am able to give a rate on the convergence of the eigenvalues as the tube shrinks away. I make no assumption on the smoothness of the coefficients and only mild assumptions on the boundary of the domain. Also, I consider the Green function associated with the mixed problem on a Lipschitz domain with a general decomposition of the boundary. I show that the Green function is Hölder continuous, which shows how a solution to the mixed problem behaves.

As simulation plays an increasingly central role in modern science and engineering research, by supplementing experiments, aiding in the prototyping of engineering systems or informing decisions on safety and reliability, the need to quantify uncertainty in model outputs due to uncertainties in the model parameters becomes critical. However, the statistical characterization of the model parameters is rarely known. In this thesis, we propose a variational approach to solve the stochastic inverse problem of obtaining a statistical description of the diffusion coefficient in an elliptic partial differential equation, based noisy measurements of the model output. We formulate the parameter identification problem as an infinite dimensional constrained optimization problem for which we establish existence of minimizers as well as first order necessary conditions. A spectral approximation of the uncertain observations (via a truncated Karhunen-Loeve expansion) allows us to estimate the infinite dimensional problem by a smooth, albeit high dimensional, deterministic optimization problem, the so-called 'finite noise' problem, in the space of functions with bounded mixed derivatives. We prove convergence of 'finite noise' minimizers to the appropriate infinite dimensional ones, and devise a gradient based, as well as a sampling based strategy for locating these numerically. Lastly, we illustrate our methods by means of numerical examples. / Ph. D.

The tension-compression vibration of an elastic cusped plate is studied under all the reasonable boundary conditions at the cusped edge, while at the noncusped edge displacements and at the upper and lower faces of the plate stresses are given.

We study computational theory and methods for finding multiple unstable solutions (corresponding to saddle points) to three types of nonlinear variational elliptic systems: cooperative, noncooperative, and Hamiltonian. We first propose a new Lorthogonal selection in a product Hilbert space so that a solution manifold can be defined. Then, we establish, respectively, a local characterization for saddle points of finite Morse index and of infinite Morse index. Based on these characterizations, two methods, called the local min-orthogonal method and the local min-max-orthogonal method, are developed and applied to solve those three types of elliptic systems for multiple solutions. Under suitable assumptions, a subsequence convergence result is established for each method. Numerical experiments for different types of model problems are carried out, showing that both methods are very reliable and efficient in computing coexisting saddle points or saddle points of infinite Morse index. We also analyze the instability of saddle points in both single and product Hilbert spaces. In particular, we establish several estimates of the Morse index of both coexisting and non-coexisting saddle points via the local min-orthogonal method developed and propose a local instability index to measure the local instability of both degenerate and nondegenerate saddle points. Finally, we suggest two extensions of an L-orthogonal selection for future research so that multiple solutions to more general elliptic systems such as nonvariational elliptic systems may also be found in a stable way.

It is the main goal of this thesis to study the regularity of solutions for a nonlinear elliptic system coming from population segregation, and the free boundary problem that is obtained in the limit as the competition parameter goes to infinity [mathematical symbol]. The main results are existence and Hölder regularity of solutions of the elliptic system, characterization of the limit as a free boundary problem, and Lipschitz regularity at the boundary for the limiting problem. / text

We consider nonlinear elliptic Bellman systems which arise in the theory of stochastic differential games. The right hand sides of the equations (which are called Hamiltonians) may have quadratic growth with respect to the gradient of the unknowns. Under certain assumptions on Lagrangians (from which the Hamiltonians are derived), that are satisfied for many types of stochastic games, we establish the existence and uniqueness of a Nash point and develop structural conditions on the Hamiltonians. From these conditions we establish a certain version of maximum and minimum principle. This result is then used to establish the existence of a bound solution. 1

Submitted by Luciana Sebin (lusebin@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-12T17:21:38Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseFMF.pdf: 3344288 bytes, checksum: 3bfb3caf40d3dcd756aa8697b58b5f19 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-12T17:29:02Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseFMF.pdf: 3344288 bytes, checksum: 3bfb3caf40d3dcd756aa8697b58b5f19 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-12T17:44:44Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseFMF.pdf: 3344288 bytes, checksum: 3bfb3caf40d3dcd756aa8697b58b5f19 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-12T17:46:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseFMF.pdf: 3344288 bytes, checksum: 3bfb3caf40d3dcd756aa8697b58b5f19 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / The aim of this work is to present results about the existence of non-trivial solutions for some classes of resonant and superlinear eliptic systems employing topological methods. More specifcally, we use a-priori bounds on the eventual solutions of this problems and topological degree theory. / Neste trabalho apresentamos a existência de soluções não triviais para classes de sistemas elípticos ressonantes e superlineares. Tais sistemas são tratados via métodos topológicos. Encontramos estimativas a priori para possíveis soluções destes sistemas e utilizamos estas estimativas juntamente com a teoria do grau topológico para garantir a existência de soluções.

Neste trabalho consideramos sistemas elípticos de tipo hamiltoniano, envolvendo o operador Laplaciano, com uma parte linear dependendo de dois parâmetros e uma perturbação sublinear. Obtemos a existência de pelo menos duas soluções quando a parte linear está perto da ressonância (este fenômeno é chamado de quase ressonância). Mostramos também a existência de uma terceira solução, quando a quase ressonância é em relação ao primeiro autovalor do operador Laplaciano. No caso ressonante obtemos resultados análogos, adicionando mais uma perturbação sublinear. Os sistemas estão associados a funcionais fortemente indefinidos, e as soluções são obtidas através do Teorema de Ponto de Sela e aproximação de Galerkin. / In this work we consider elliptic systems of hamiltonian type, involving the Laplacian operator, a linear part depending on two parameters and a sublinear perturbation. We obtain the existence of at least two solutions when the linear part is near resonance (this phenomenon is called almost-resonance). We also show the existence of a third solution when the almost-resonance is with respect to the first eigenvalue of the Laplacian operator. In the resonant case, we obtain similar results, with an additional sublinear term. These systems are associated with strongly indefinite functionals, and the solutions are obtained by Saddle Point Theorem and Galerkin approximation.

Cette thèse est consacrée principalement à l'analyse mathématique de modèles issus de la physique des cristaux liquides et de la supraconductivité. Ces modèles ont en commun de faire intervenir des systèmes elliptiques dont les solutions présentent des singularités : défauts optiques dans les cristaux liquides, défauts de vorticité en supraconductivité. Les cristaux liquides se composent de molécules allongées qui, tout en étant distribuées « au hasard » comme dans un liquide, tendent à s'aligner dans une direction commune : cet « ordre d'orientation » leur confère des propriétés optiques similaires à celles d'un cristal, à l'origine de leurs nombreuses applications industrielles. On démontre différents résultats liés à la symétrie locale de cet alignement autour des singularités. On présente aussi dans cette thèse différents résultats liés au modèle de Ginzburg-Landau pour les supraconducteurs de type II, et aux « défauts de vorticité » : points isolés autour desquels la supraconductivité est détruite. Une dernière partie de cette thèse traite de la caractérisation de la régularité d'une fonction f à travers la vitesse de convergence de f ∗ ρε pour un certain noyau ρ. Dans un travail commun avec Petru Mironescu, on s'intéresse à la question de la régularité des noyaux ρ qui permettent une telle caractérisation / The present thesis is devoted mainly to the mathematical analysis of models arising in the physics of liquid crystals and superconductivity. A common feature of these models is that one has to deal with elliptic systems whose solutions have singularities: optical defects in liquid crystals, vorticity defects in superconductivity. The rod-like molecules in a liquid crystals, while being (as in a liquid) “randomly” distributed, tend to align in a common direction: this “orientational order” enhances crystal-like optical properties, which are responsible for their many industrial applications. We demonstrate different results related to the local symmetry of this alignement near singularities. We also present some results related to the Ginzburg-Landau model for type II superconductivity, and to “vortices”: isolated points at which superconductivity is destroyed. The last part of this thesis addresses regularity characterization for a function f through the convergence rate of f ∗ ρε, for some kernel ρ. In a joint work with Petru Mironescu we study the minimal regularity of ρ that allows such characterization