On optimal \(L^1\)-control in coefficients for quasi-linear Dirichlet boundary value problems with \textit{BMO}-anisotropic \(p\)-Laplacian (Q828999)

Elliptic equations whose principal part is an anisotropic \(p\)-Laplace operator arises from modeling of composite materials such as nonlinear dielectric composites, whose nonlinear behavior is modeled by the power law. The isotropic \(p\)-Laplacian differs from the standard Laplacian with respect to nonlinear terms and an effect of degeneracy. The authors consider an optimal control problem for a quasi-linear elliptic equation with anisotropic \(p\)-Laplace operator in its principal part and \(L^1\)-control in coefficient of the low-order term. The anisotropy matrix belongs to bounded mean oscillation (BMO)-space. A suitable functional class is introduced for solutions because the state equation is not in the classical Sobolev space. The authors show that for every admissible control, a weak solution to the corresponding boundary value problem can be obtained as the limit of solutions to coercive problems with bounded coefficients, using an \(L^\infty\)-approximation of the BMO-matrix. The existence of optimal pairs is proved using an approximation procedure and compactness arguments in variable spaces.