A global solution to a two-dimensional Riemann problem involving shocks as free boundaries (Q1879143)

This paper concerns the Cauchy problem for the two-dimensional system \[ u_t + p_x = 0 , \quad v_t + p_y = 0 , \quad \bigl(\tfrac{1}{2}(u^2+v^2) + p\bigr)_t + (up)_x + (v p)_y = 0 , \] with self-similar (in the \((x,y)\) variables) initial data, consisting of two shocks in a half plane and two contact discontinuities in the other half plane. The main result is the existence of a global solution \((u,v,p)=(u,v,p)(x/t,y/t)\), provided that the two initial shocks form an angle close enough to 180 degrees (so that there are close to form together a one-dimensional shock) and that the pressure \(p\) in between these shocks is greater than elsewhere. The (most technical) proof is enhanced by numerous pictures. Some details are omitted, referring to the recent work of \textit{S. Čanić, B. L. Keyfitz} and \textit{G. M. Lieberman} [Commun. Pure Appl. Math. 53, No. 4, 484--511 (2000; Zbl 1017.76040), \textit{S. Čanić, B. L. Keyfitz, E. H. Kim}, Methods Appl. Anal. 7, No. 2, 313--335 (2000; Zbl 1015.76038), Commun. Pure Appl. Math. 55, No. 1, 71--92 (2002; Zbl 1124.35338)] on related problems.