Weighted \(L^2\)-estimates of solutions for damped wave equations with variable coefficients (Q1621108)

The classical initial value problem for the damped wave equation with variable coefficients \[ u_{tt}-\operatorname{div}A(x)\nabla u + a(x)u_t =0,\quad x\in \mathbb{R}^n \] is investigated. The matrix \(A(x)\) are symmetric positively definite, having as components smooth functions on \(\mathbb{R}^n\) and the initial data are functions with compact support. The purpose of the research is to obtain \(L^2\) estimates for solutions. One uses the multiplier technique developed in the article [\textit{G. Todorova} and \textit{B. Yordanov}, J. Differ. Equations 246, No. 12, 4497--4518 (2009; Zbl 1173.35032)]. Under some very special assumptions on the damping coefficient \(a(x)\) and the matrix \(A(x)\), weighted \(L^2\) estimates for the solution of the stated Cauchy problem are proved. One of the assumptions is connected to the existence of a subsolution \(\nu(x)\) to an inequality of the form \[ \operatorname{div} A(x)\nabla\nu(x)\geq a(x) \] and has to satisfy some additional conditions.