Null controllability of nonlinear neutral differential equations (Q1100125)

The purpose of the paper is to study the null controllability of nonlinear neutral differential control systems. It is shown under very general conditions, that the null controllability of a nonlinear neutral differential control system is implies by the null controllability of its linear approximation. Some key differences between analyzing null controllability for nonlinear neutral control systems and null controllability for nonlinear retarded control systems are pointed out and discussed. Several special cases are also considered and many additional remarks and comments are given. Moreover, some illustrative examples are presented. The results of the paper extend in some sense previous results given in the papers by \textit{M. Q. Jacobs} and \textit{C. E. Langenhop} [SIAM J. Control Optimization 14, 1009-1048 (1976; Zbl 0344.93014)] and the first author and \textit{D. F. Young} [ibid. 17, 753-772 (1979; Zbl 0438.93016)].