Fisher waves in an epidemic model (Q1884260): Difference between revisions

Consider the system \[ u_t= du_{xx}- u+ dv,\quad v_t= -\beta v+ g(u),\tag{\(*\)} \] where \(d\), \(\alpha\), \(\beta\) are positive parameters and \(g\) is such a function that the corresponding reaction system has exactly two equilibria, the origin and the point \((u^*, v^*)\) in the positive orthant, which is globally stable. The goal is to establish a monotone travelling wave solution \((u(x- ct), v(x- ct))\) of \((*)\) connecting \((0,0)\) and \((u^*, v^*)\). The corresponding boundary value problem for a system of ordinary differential equations can be reduced to the problem \[ \begin{gathered} cU'= dU''- U+{\alpha\over c} \int^t_{-\infty} e^{-{\beta\over c}(t- s)} g(U(s))\,ds,\\ U(-\infty)= 0,\quad U(+\infty)= u^*.\end{gathered}\tag{\(**\)} \] The authors derive conditions on the function \(g\) such that by means of lower and upper solutions to \((**)\), the existence of a monotone travelling wave can be proved. Furthermore, they characterize the minimal wave speed.