Covering theorems, inequalities on metric spaces and applications to PDE's (Q2482693)

Let \((Y,d,\mu)\) be a doubling quasi-metric space and \(\Omega\) be an open subset of \(Y\). Let \(\mathbb K_{\Omega}\) denote a family of \(\mu\)-measurable functions whose domain is contained in \(\Omega\) and \(\mathbb K_{\Omega}(A)=\{u\in \mathbb K_{\Omega}\text{ whose domain is } A\subset\Omega\}\). The authors prove that, if \(\mathbb K_{\Omega}\) satisfies the power decay property and some additional conditions, then the Harnack inequality holds, namely: there exists a positive constant \(c\) independent of \(u,R,x_0\) such that \[ \sup_{B_R(x_0)} u\leq c \inf_{B_R(x_0)} u \] for all \(u\in\mathbb K_{\Omega}(B_{2\eta_0R}(x_0))\), non negative and locally bounded, and a suitable \(\eta_0\). Applications to \(X\)-elliptic operators are presented. The paper is self-contained: all useful definitions and properties relative to doubling quasi metric spaces and power decay of a family of measurable functions are recalled. It is pointed out that the above results apply to fractal structures [cf.\ \textit{U. Mosco}, J.~Convex Anal.\ 9, No. 2, 581--600 (2002; Zbl 1018.28005), and Proc.\ Steklov Inst.\ Math.\ 326, 490--495 (2002; Zbl 1125.31301)].