On minimizing sequences for an integral process with phase constraint (Q1122131)

The purpose of this article is to find the conditions which a minimizing sequence for an integral process with a phase constraint obeys. We employ \textit{I. Ekeland}'s variational principle [J. Math. Anal. Appl. 47, 324- 353 (1974; Zbl 0286.49015)] and follow \textit{M. I. Sumin} [Differ. Uravn. 22, No.10, 1719-1731 (1986; Zbl 0614.49025); English translation in Differ. Equations 22, No.10, 1172-1182 (1986)] to obtain the conditions satisfied by a minimizing sequence. The conditions derived actually hold, even for certain minimizing sequences that do not necessarily satisfy the imposed constraints. This statement is better understood from our theorem at the end of the paper. However, it is assumed that there are controls such that the imposed constraints are satisfied. We close the article with a discussion of an example.