Finite velocity of propagation of perturbations for a one-dimensional wave integro-differential equation with a fractional-exponential memory function (Q6937342)

The authors investigate a one-dimensional wave equation with memory, modeled as a Volterra integro-differential equation perturbed by convolution terms with fractional-exponential kernels (Rabotnov functions). Such equations describe oscillations in viscoelastic rods and heat conduction in media with memory (Gurtin-Pipkin type models).\N\NThe main contribution is the rigorous proof of the \textit{finite velocity of propagation of perturbations}. Specifically, if the initial data and forcing terms are compactly supported in space, then the solution remains compactly supported for all times \(t \geq 0\). The work constructs the fundamental solution of the integro-differential operator, shows its uniqueness, and analyzes its support properties within a conical region. Wave and surface wave potentials with memory are introduced and used to represent generalized solutions.\N\NFurthermore, the generalized Cauchy problem is formulated and solved, establishing existence, uniqueness, and continuous dependence of solutions on the data. Corollaries ensure that compactly supported sources and initial conditions yield solutions with compact spatial support at any fixed time.