Interpretation of the Lavrentiev phenomenon by relaxation (Q1207137)

The authors consider functionals of the form \(F(u)=\int^ 1_ 0 f(x,u,u')dx\) and draw attention to the Lavrentiev phenomenon, where the minima associated with certain subclasses are in fact strictly greater than the minimum value on the full admissable class. It is pointed out that the difference between absolute minimum and the attained minimum is associated with the value function \(V(x,s)=\inf\{\int^ x_ 0 f(y,u,u')dy\): \(u\in \text{Lip}[0,x]\), \(u(0)=0\), \(u(x)=S\}\). \(L(u)\) is calculated for integrands satisfying certain homogeneity conditions, and for an integrand which is discontinuous in its arguments.