Second order weakly hyperbolic operators with coefficients sum of powers of functions (Q2372377)

The authors consider the Cauchy problem in \(\mathbb{R}^2_{t,x}\): \[ Pu= D^2_t u- a(t) D^2_x u= 0, \] \[ u(0,x)= u_0(x),\quad D_t u(0,x)= u_1(x). \] It is known from \textit{F. Colombini}, \textit{E. Jannelli} and \textit{S. Spagnolo} [Ann. Sc. Norm. Super. Pisa, Cl. Sci. (4) 10, 291--312 (1983; Zbl 0543.35056)] that if \(a(t)\geq 0\) and a \(C^h([0,T])\) then the Cauchy problem is well posed in the Gevrey class \(G^s\) for \(s< s_0\), where \(s_0= 1+ h/2\). Here the authors prove that if \[ a(t)= \sum^\infty_{J=1} a^n_J(t),\quad a^n_J(t)\geq 0,\quad a_J\in C^h([0, T]) \] with \(n\) and \(h\) positive integers, then the Cauchy problem is well-posed in \(G^s\) for \(1< s< s_0= 1+ nh/2\). Necessary conditions and generalizations to \(x\)-dependent coefficients are also discussed.