Variational problems with free boundaries for the fractional Laplacian (Q990221)

In this paper, a free boundary problem with the fractional Laplacian is studied. This problem is motivated by reaction diffusion problems in plasma physics, flame propagation and planar crack expansion. By an extension formula discovered by \textit{L. Caffarelli} and \textit{L. Silvestre} [Commun. Partial Differ. Equations 32, No. 8, 1245--1260 (2007; Zbl 1143.26002)] that generalises the Poisson formula, the problem is transformed to a problem in divergence form. In analogy with the classical Laplacian the problem is replaced by a minimization problem. Basic properties of local minimisers as regularity, nondegeneracy and positive density are shown. Finally, the regularity of the free boundary is studied.