Stability of viscous shocks on finite intervals (Q2465676)

The paper deals with the Cauchy problem for the system of viscous conservation laws \[ u_t + f(u)_x =\nu u_{xx},\quad t\geq 0,\;x\in\mathbb R^1. \] Here \(\nu\) is the viscosity and \(f:\mathbb R^n \to \mathbb R^n\) is a given smooth function of the state vector. The authors investigate a solution consisting of a thin, viscous shock layer connecting smooth regions. The time-dependent behavior of such a solution involves two processes. One process consists of the large-scale evolution of the solution. This process is well modeled by the corresponding inviscid equations. The other process is the adjustment in shape and position of the shock layer to the large-scale solution. The time scale of the second process is much faster than the first, \(1/\nu\) compared to 1. The second process can be divided into two parts, adjustment of the shape and of the position. During this adjustment the end states are essentially constant. In order to establish stability conditions the authors have developed a technique where the two processes can be separated. To isolate the fast process, consider the region in the vicinity of the shock layer. To reflect the slow change of the end states, on the equations special boundary conditions are imposed. It is shown that, for the isolated fast process, the perturbations decay exponentially in time.