On a parabolic symmetry problem (Q2468413)

Summary: In this paper we prove a symmetry theorem for the Green function associated to the heat equation in a certain class of bounded domains \(\Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^{n+1}\). For \(T>0\), let \(\Omega_T=\Omega\cap[\mathbb{R}^n\times (0,T)]\) and let \(G\) be the Green function of \(\Omega_T\) with pole at \((0,0)\in\partial_p\Omega_T\). Assume that the adjoint caloric measure in \(\Omega_T\) defined with respect to \((0,0)\), \(\hat\omega\), is absolutely continuous with respect to a certain surface measure, \(\sigma\), on \(\partial_p\Omega_T\). Our main result states that if \[ \frac {d\hat\omega}{d\sigma}(X,t)=\lambda\frac {|X|}{2t} \] for all \((X,t)\in \partial_p\Omega_T\setminus\{(X,t): t=0\}\) and for some \(\lambda>0\), then \(\partial_p\Omega_T\subseteq\{(X,t):W(X,t)=\lambda\}\) where \(W(X,t)\) is the heat kernel and \(G=W-\lambda\) in \(\Omega_T\). This result has previously been proven by the first author and \textit{A. L. Vogel} [Nonlinear diffusion equations and their equilibrium states, Proc. 3rd Conf., Gregynog/UK 1989, Prog. Nonlinear Differ. Equ. Appl. 7, 347--374 (1992; Zbl 0792.35009)] under stronger assumptions on \(\Omega\).