Cauchy problems associated with certain integro-partial differential equations (Q1343028)

Transmutations and quasi inner products are employed to developed solution representations for a class of initial value problems of the form \[ w_{tt} (x,y,t) = \{I_ x + P(D_ y)\} w(x,y,t), \quad w(x,y,0) = 0, \quad w_ t(x,y,0) = \varphi(x,y). \] Here \(t\) is the time variable and both \(x\) and \(y\) are space variables, \(I_ x\) is an integral operator in the \(x\)-variable, and \(D_ y\) is a differential operator in the \(y\)-variable. Typically, it is assumed that the kernel \(K(x,\sigma)\) of the integral operator \(I_ x\) is bounded and supported on a bounded set, and that \(D_ y\) involves a Laplacian operator. The given representation formula for the solution involves an integral operator (``fundamental solution'') defined as a series expansion that is proved to converge. Some explicit examples are considered, where it is possible to find an analytic expression for the fundamental solution. The transmutation method employs a formula that relates the solution of the abstract wave equation \(w_{tt} = Aw\) to the solution of the abstract heat equation \(u_ t = Au\), and the quasi inner product method requires the integral operator \(I_ x\) to have a square root. Like the wave equation, some of the more general equations considered here exhibit both ``clean cut'' and ``diffuse'' effects.