An operational method for abstract degenerate evolution equations of hyperbolic type (Q1114916)

The author studies the following differential problem in a Banach space X: \[ (P)\quad (d/dt)(A_ 1u(t))+A_ 0u(t)=f(t),\quad t\in [0,t_ 1],\quad \lim_{t\downarrow 0}\| A_ 1u(t)-u_ 0\| =0 \] where u and f are X-valued functions and \(A_ i:D_ i\subset X\to X\) \((i=0,1)\) are linear operators with \(D_ 0\subset D_ 1\). The problem is degenerate in the sense that \(A_ 0\) is supposed to be invertible while \(A_ 1\) is not necessarily so. Conditions are given for the existence and uniqueness of a strict solution of (P) by virtue of an operational method which enables the author to consider (P) as an equation in a space of functions of t. A model for (P) is the hyperbolic equation obtained by taking \(A_ 0=A(x,D)\) a first order operator and \(A_ 1=m(x)\) a function which can vanish. The parabolic case was studied by the author [Math. Ann. 273, 17-44 (1985; Zbl 0556.34067)].