A large data regime for nonlinear wave equations (Q268594)

This paper considers a system of the form \(Lu=Q(\nabla u, \nabla u)\), where \(L\) is the wave operator in Minkowski space and \(Q\) is a null form. As was pointed out by Nirenberg, such equations may admit large solutions without blow-up, as well as solutions with blow-up (see [\textit{S. Kichenassamy}, Fuchsian reduction. Applications to geometry, cosmology and mathematical physics. Basel: Birkhäuser (2007; Zbl 1169.35002)], section 10.7). The paper shows the existence of special solutions for systems of this form, that do not blow up in the future. The main tool is a semi-global existence result for characteristic initial value problems with data of special form, prescribed either at past null infinity or on special null hypersurfaces.