Convergence to steady states in asymptotically autonomous semilinear evolution equations. (Q1395841)

This very nice paper is concerned with the convergence of strong solutions to nonautonomous, semilinear evolution equations of first and second order to some equilibrium state. In particular, the authors extend results from \textit{S.-Z. Huang} and \textit{P. Takác} [Nonlinear Anal., Theory Methods Appl. 46 A, 675--698 (2001; Zbl 1002.35022)] to second-order equations and to the nonautonomous case. Moreover, they simplify the proof given there for the first-order equation. The functional setting uses a Gelfand triple. The method of proof relies upon estimating a suitable perturbed Lyapunov function rather than the energy. Instead of assuming an analytic semilinearity, the authors assume that the so-called Lojasiewicz-Simon inequality holds true near some state in the \(\omega\)-limit set of the solution. The general results are then applied to the semilinear diffusion equation, to the Cahn-Hilliard equation, to the semilinear wave equation, and to the nonlinear Kirchhoff-Carrier equation. Finally, coupled systems of diffusion and wave equations are considered.