Elliptic problems with integral diffusion (Q2354248)

In this survey, the author considers the fractional Laplacian operator and certain of its applications. In particular, the overall theme of the note is the nonlocal nature of the fractional Laplacian and how this affects its analysis. As part of this discussion, the author mentions a conjecture of De Giorgi and its extension to the setting of the fractional Laplacian. Solutions of the problem \[ (-\Delta)^su=\lambda f(u), \quad x\in\Omega, \] subject to \(u=0\) on \(\partial\Omega\) are considered, where the domain \(\Omega\subseteq\mathbb R^n\) has a smooth boundary with \(n\geq 2\) and \(u\mapsto f(u)\) is a smooth, nondecreasing map such that \(f(0)>0\) and \(f(u)/u\to+\infty\) as \(u\to+\infty\). In particular, the existence of solutions to this problem as well as the regularity of so-called extremal solutions to the problem are considered. All in all, the survey is nicely written, though readers will need to have a substantial background in the theory of the fractional Laplacian and related areas of analysis (and even differential topology) in order to understand the ideas that are sketched here. In particular, this is not meant as a survey for those uninitiated with the subject at hand.