On the analytical separation of variables solution for a class of partial integro-differential equations (Q2484675)

The author considers the following integro-partial differential equation which arises in the study of heterogeneous heat transfer: \[ \frac{\partial F}{\partial t} = K\frac{\partial^2 F}{\partial x^2} + L\int^x_0 F(y)dy - F,\quad 0\leq x\leq 1, \;t\in \mathbb R, \] \[ F_x (0,t) = F_x (1,t)= 0,\qquad F(x,0) = F_0(x), \] where \(K, L\) are nonnegative constants. He uses the method of separation of variables to obtain a series solution and discusses its convergence. For \(K=0,\) the Laplace transform method is used to obtain the solution in a closed form.