No label defined (Q4339613)

The author investigates the following minimization problem. Minimize \[ J_\varepsilon(v)= \int_\Omega (\textstyle{{1\over 2}}|\nabla v|^2- 2v)dx+ f_\varepsilon(|x\in\Omega: v(x)>0|) \] over a suitable class of admissible functions, being constant on a given set \(H\). Here \(\Omega= \mathbb{R}^n\backslash\overline H\), and \(f_\varepsilon\) is a mollification of \(f_0(s)\) with \(f_0(s)= 0\) for \(s\leq \omega_0\) and \(f_0=\infty\) else. Among other things it is shown that the minimizers of \(J_0\) and \(J_\varepsilon\) coincide for small \(\varepsilon\). Thus the support of a minimizer, restricted to \(\Omega\) has measure \(\omega_0\), and the boundary of this support is the free boundary in the title of the paper. The author investigates existence and regularity questions and solves a formidable number of technical problems along the way. Nevertheless the exposition is very clear. Interesting applications of her results can be found in another paper [\textit{C. Lederman}, Differ. Integral Equ. 8, No. 8, 2025-2044 (1995; Zbl 0832.73041)] they answer the following question. Among all cylindrical bars, with cross section of a given area and with a single given hole in it, find the one with maximum torsional rigidity.