Critical counterexamples for linear wave equations with time-dependent propagation speed (Q2003966)

The authors consider the wave equation from an abstract point of view, the Laplacian being replaced by $- A$, with $A$ self-adjoint nonnegative operator. A time-dependent propagation speed is considered and a dissipation term is allowed, represented by a power of the operator $A$. In the non-dissipative case, the classical results of \textit{F. Colombini} et al. [Ann. Sc. Norm. Super. Pisa, Cl. Sci., IV. Ser. 6, 511--559 (1979; Zbl 0417.35049)] state either well- posedness or ill-posedness of the Cauchy problem in Sobolev spaces and Gevrey Classes, according to the regularity of the speed coefficient. The effect of the presence of the dissipation term was studied in detail by \textit{M. Ghisi} and \textit{M. Gobbino} [J. Differ. Equations 260, No. 2, 1585--1621 (2016; Zbl 1336.35252)] and \textit{M. Ghisi} et al. [Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 368, No. 3, 2039--2079 (2016; Zbl 1342.35184)], showing that the dissipation can prevail and improve the results of well-posedness. The present paper is devoted to some critical cases left open in the above mentioned contributions. In particular, counterexamples are given providing a complete picture of results. The proofs are based on a precise estimate of the growth of solutions for a family of ordinary differential equations.