Optimal control for the convective Cahn-Hilliard equation in 2D case (Q741142)

The Cahn-Hilliard model is known and has been intensively studied theoretically as well as in practical applications for more than a half century: [\textit{J. W. Cahn} and \textit{J. E. Hilliard}, ``Free energy of a nonuniform system. I. Interfacial free energy'', J. Chem. Phys. 28, 258-267 (1958)]. In a previous paper [Appl. Anal. 92, No. 5, 1028--1045 (2013; Zbl 1269.49003)], the authors considered the optimal control problem for the 1D convective Cahn-Hilliard model with periodic boundary conditions. The present article is devoted to an investigation of the distributed control problem subject to the initial-boundary value problem of a 2D convective Cahn-Hilliard equation. The investigation follows the well known steps introduced by Lions in solving distributed optimal control problems. Under some additional assumptions on the model coefficients, the existence and uniqueness of a weak solution is proved first. Another result is connected to the optimality system and the existence of an optimal control.