On associated and co-associated complex differential operators (Q1891940)

Summary: The paper deals with initial value problems of the form \(\partial u/\partial t= {\mathcal L}u\), \(u=u_ 0\) for \(t=0\) in \([0, T]\times G\subset \mathbb{R}^ +_ 0\times \mathbb{R}^ n\) where \({\mathcal L}\) is a linear first order differential operator. The desired solutions will be sought in function spaces defined as kernel of a linear differential operator \(l\) being associated to \({\mathcal L}\). Mainly two assumptions are required for such initial value problems to be solvable: Firstly, the operators have to be associated, i.e. \(lu=0\) implies \(l({\mathcal L}u) =0\). Secondly, an interior estimate \(\| {\mathcal L} u\|_{G'}\leq c(G, G')\| u\|_ G\) (with \(G'\subset G\)) must be true. Moreover, operators \({\mathcal L}\) are investigated possessing a family of associated operators \(l_ k\) (which then are said to be co-associated). The present paper surveys the use of associated and co-associated differential operators for solving initial value problems of the above (Cauchy-Kovalevskaya) type. Discussing interior estimates as starting point for the construction of related scales of Banach spaces, the paper sets up a possible framework for further generalizations. E.g., that way a theorem of Cauchy-Kovalevskaya type with initial functions satisfying a differential equation of an arbitrary order \(k\) (with not necessarily analytic coefficients) is obtained.