Refinement of an \(L^ p\)-estimate of Solonnikov for a parabolic equation of the second order with conormal boundary condition (Q1824761)

It is well known that the solution u of the homogeneous heat equation (in \({\mathbb{R}}^ n_+\times (0,T)\), \({\mathbb{R}}^ n_+:={\mathbb{R}}^{n-1}\times {\mathbb{R}}_+)\) with boundary condition \(-\partial_ nu|_{x_ n=0}=\Psi\) is given by a single-layer potential E[\(\Psi\) ]. \textit{V. A. Solonnikov} [Am. Math. Soc., Transl., II. Ser. 65, 51-137 (1967); translation from Tr. Mat. Inst. Steklov 70, 133-212 (1964; Zbl 0168.082)] gave sharp estimates for \(\| \partial_ tE[\Psi]\|_{L^ p({\mathbb{R}}^ n_+\times (0,T))}\) in terms of a Besov-norm of \(\Psi\). However, the constant in this estimate was not uniform for \(T\downarrow 0\). In this paper we show that a uniform constant can be obtained for \(p\in]3,\infty [\) and that Solonnikov's result cannot be improved for \(p\in]1,3[\). This refined version is of importance for the treatment of certain nonlinear problems [see the author: Local existence for parabolic problems with fully nonlinear boundary conditions; a \(L_ p\)-approach; to appear in Ann. Mat. Pura Appl.].