Gossez's approximation theorems in Musielak-Orlicz-Sobolev spaces (Q1671390)

Approximation properties of Musielak-Orlicz-Sobolev spaces strongly depend on the regularity of the corresponding modular function. The authors find optimal assumptions on interplay between types of regularity with respect to each of the variables that ensures the density of smooth functions. They relax the condition typical in the context of density in the variable exponent spaces, the so-called log-Hölder continuity of the exponent. Also, they exclude the Lavrentiev gap in the double phase spaces within the sharp range of parameters. Density results are given provided that the modular function is convex in one of the parameters and \(\varphi\)-regular in the other one. The latter property does not exist in the purely Orlicz setting. As for the method of the proof, Gossez's approach for proving that weak derivatives in Orlicz-Sobolev spaces are strong derivatives with respect to the modular topology is extended to the Musielak-Orlicz-Sobolev setting.