Optimal estimates for the conductivity problem by Green's function method (Q1710975)

This paper deals with the study of a class of second-order non-homogeneous elliptic equations of divergence form with discontinuous coefficients and data. Problems of this type appear in models involving the conductivity problem in composite materials. The main results stablish optimal gradient estimates by showing the explicit dependence of the elliptic coefficients and the distance between interfacial boundaries of inclusions. The authors also deduce interesting higher-order derivative estimates. A central role in the arguments developed in this paper is played by the image charge method in order to construct a Green function, from which the authors derive the desired estimates.