On a singular diffusion equation (Q1911811)

This paper is devoted to the study of the Cauchy problem for the singular diffusion equation \[ u_t= \Delta \log u,\quad (x, t)\in \mathbb R^2\times (0, T), \] with initial function \(f\in L^1_{\text{loc}}(\mathbb R^2)\), where \(f(x)\) is nonnegative and \(T< \infty\). A main goal is to characterize the solvability of the Cauchy problem in terms of the initial conditions \(f\) and to reveal the structure of its solution set. The first result provides a necessary and sufficient condition for solvability: It is stated in particular that there exists a solution defined up to time \(T\leq \infty\), if and only if \(\int_{\mathbb R^2} f\, dx\geq 4\pi T\). A strong nonuniqueness phenomenon takes place as the second result: Given any integrable initial data \(f\), then there exist solutions which vanish at any given time less than or equal to \((1/4\pi) \int_{\mathbb R^2} f\).