The Obstacle Problem for Functions of Least Gradient

dc.creatorZiemer, William P.
dc.creatorZumbrun, Kevin
dc.date1998-11-07
dc.date.accessioned2026-07-07T05:26:45Z
dc.date.available2026-07-07T05:26:45Z
dc.descriptionFor a given domain $Ω\subset \Bbb{R}^n$, we consider the variational problem of minimizing the $L^1$-norm of the gradient on $Ω$ of a function $u$ with prescribed continuous boundary values and satisfying a continuous lower obstacle condition $u\ge Ψ$ inside $Ω$. Under the assumption of strictly positive mean curvature of the boundary $\partialΩ$, we show existence of a continuous solution, with Hölder exponent half of that of data and obstacle. This generalizes previous results obtained for the unconstrained and double-obstacle problems. The main new feature in the present analysis is the need to extend various maximum principles from the case of two area-minimizing sets to the case of one sub- and one superminimizing set. This we accomplish subject to a weak regularity assumption on one of the sets, sufficient to carry out the analysis. Interesting open questions include the uniqueness of solutions and a complete analysis of the regularity properties of area superminimizing sets. We provide some preliminary results in the latter direction, namely a new monotonicity principle for superminimizing sets, and the existence of ``foamy'' superminimizers in two dimensions.
dc.description27 Pages
dc.identifierhttps://arxiv.org/abs/math/9811042
dc.identifierhttp://arxiv.org/abs/math/9811042
dc.identifier.urihttp://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/77670
dc.subjectAnalysis of PDEs
dc.subjectClassical Analysis and ODEs
dc.subjectPrimary 49Q05; Secondary 35J85
dc.titleThe Obstacle Problem for Functions of Least Gradient
dc.typetext

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