Simultaneous exact controllability: an elastodynamic system and Maxwell's equations (Q553411)

A pair of evolution systems modelling two distinct hyperbolic dynamics (Maxwell's equations and the elastodynamic system for elastic waves) is considered. In vector-valued variables \(\langle E,H,u \rangle\) the proposed systems have the form \[ \begin{cases} \varepsilon E_t - \text{curl} H=0\\ \mu H_t + \text{curl} E = 0 \qquad \text{ in } \Omega \times (0, \infty)\\ \text{div} E = 0, \; \text{div} H=0\\ \end{cases} \tag{1} \] \[ E(x,0) = E_\diamond (x), \;H(x,0) = H_\diamond(x) \qquad \text{ in } \Omega\tag{2} \] \[ \eta \times E = P(x,t) \qquad \text{ on } \partial \Omega \times (0, \infty)\tag{3} \] and \[ \rho\, u_{tt} - \lambda_2 \Delta u - (\lambda_1 + \lambda_2) \text{grad} (\text{div} \, u) = 0 \qquad\text{ in } \Omega \times (0, +\infty)\tag{4} \] \[ u(x,0) = u_\diamond (x), \; u_t(x,0) = u_1(x) \qquad\text{ in } \Omega\tag{5} \] \[ u = Q(x,t) \qquad\text{ on } \partial \Omega \times (0, +\infty),\tag{6} \] where \(E=(E_1, E_2,E_3)\) denotes the electric field (or displacement current), \(H=(H_1, H_2,H_3)\) is the magnetic field (or magnetic induction), and \(\varepsilon\) and \(\eta\) are positive constants representing the permittivity and magnetic permeability, respectively. The problem of exact controllability is stated as follows: Given a time \(T > 0\) and any initial data and desired terminal data, find a corresponding control \(F(x,t)\) driving the system to the terminal at time \(T\). Suitable function spaces (where the solution \(\langle E,H,u \rangle \) of problems (1)--(3) and (4)--(6), with \(P\equiv Q \equiv \overline{O}\), are considered) are defined. The authors use convenient multipliers to obtain (in case \(P \equiv 0, Q \equiv 0\)) a boundary observability inequality valid for both systems, as long as a geometrical condition on the region \(\Omega\) holds. Another boundary observability inequality is proposed, provided a (numerical) relation between important parameters of (1)--(6) holds. This new inequality is appropriate for using the Hilbert uniqueness method introduced by J.L. Lions.