The sharp maximal function approach to \(L^p\) estimates for operators structured on Hörmander's vector fields (Q321243)

Let \((\mathbb{R}^n, \circ)\) be a Carnot group, and suppose \(X_1, \dots, X_q\) is a system of left-invariant, \(1\)-homogeneous vector fields on \(\mathbb{R}^n\) satisfying the Hörmander bracket generating condition. Let \(\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^n\) be a bounded domain. The authors study operators \(L\) of the form \[ Lu = \sum_{i,j=1}^q a_{ij}(x) X_i X_j u \] where the coefficients \(a_{ij}\) are bounded, measurable, and of locally vanishing mean oscillation, and the matrix \((a_{ij})\) is symmetric and uniformly positive on \(\Omega\). The main result is a new proof of the estimate \[ \|X_i X_j u\|_{L^p(\Omega')} + \|X_i u\|_{L^p(\Omega')} \leq c \left\{ \|Lu\|_{L^p(\Omega)} + \|u\|_{L^p(\Omega)}\right\} \] for each open relatively compact \(\Omega' \subset \Omega\). This estimate was previously shown in [\textit{M.~Bramanti} and \textit{L.~Brandolini}, Rend. Semin. Mat., Torino 58, No. 4, 389--433 (2000; Zbl 1072.35058)] by other methods. The proof given here relies on bounds for the sharp maximal function of \(X_i X_j u\). Much of the analysis reduces to the special case of ``model operators'' \(\overline{L}\), which are of the form given above for \(L\), but with constant coefficients \(a_{ij}\).