Aronszajn type results for Volterra equations and inclusions (Q1882615)

The authors are concerned with the initial value problem \(y'(t)= (Vy)(t)\), \(t\in [0,1)\), \(T> 0\), \(y(0)= x_0\in \mathbb{R}^n\), in which \(V\) stands for an abstract Volterra operator (also known as causal operator). The problem formulated above, with many possibilities of choice for \(V\), has solutions (generally not unique) in various function spaces. A series of classical results from functional analysis are necessary in conducting the discussion of the problem (due to Banach, Alaoglu, Eberlein, Smulian, as well as some recent results due to the authors). Under rather general and natural assumptions on \(V\), one shows that the set of solution to the problem is nonempty, compact and connected in the space of continuous functions. Since the solutions to the problem are meant in Carathéodory's sense, it is also shown that the property is valid in the space of continuous functions, remains valid in the case of the space of absolutely continuous functions. A comparison result is also obtained, when an inequality of the type \(|(Vy)(t)|\leq g(t,|y(t)|)\) is satisfied. Applications of the general results are given for differential and integral equations.