Calculus of variations (Q5915891)

The purpose of this textbook is to give a comprehensive introduction to the classical and modern calculus of variations; it serves as useful reference to advanced undergraduate and graduate students as well as researchers in the field. The author begins with the most important aspects of the classical theory, such as the Direct Method, the Euler-Lagrange equation, Lagrange multipliers, Noether's Theorem, some regularity theory and so on. Then, the author detects more recent material such as rigidity in differential inclusions, microstructure, convex integration, singularities in measures, functionals defined on functions of bounded variation, and \(\Gamma\)-convergence for phase transitions and homogenization. This book is interesting to a reading seminar or a companion for self-study.