On some hyperbolic evolution equations with time-dependent singularity (Q793225)

In this paper some results of the author [cf. J. Math. Pures Appl., IX. Sér. 60, 133-192 (1981; Zbl 0424.35056)] are extended to include the case where the singular operator C depends on t. We consider the Cauchy problem \[ (1)\quad(d/dt)(C_ 0+C(t))y(t)+Ay(t)=f(t);\quad c_ 0y(0)=0 \] where \(C_ 0\) is a self-adjoint nonnegative (unbounded) operator in a Hilbert space H, C(t)\(\in {\mathcal L}(H)\) is self-adjoint and \(C_ 0+C(t)\) is nonnegative for every \(t\in [0,T]\), -A is the infinitesimal generator of a strongly continuous semigroup of contractions in H and f is a function defined in [0,T] with values in H. Existence and uniqueness of a strong (or strict) solution of (1) are proved under some regularity assumptions on t for C, by making use of a result of \textit{G. Da Prato} and \textit{P. Grisvard} [ibid. 54, 305-387 (1975; Zbl 0315.47009)]. We thus obtain the existence and uniqueness of a strong (or strict) solution of a symmetric system of the form \[ (d/dt)(C_ 0(x)+C(x,t))y+\sum^{N}_{i=0}A_ i(x)\partial y/\partial x_ i=f,\quad x\in \Omega \subset {\mathbb{R}}^ N,\quad t\in]0,T[ \] with the initial data \(C_ 0(x)y(x,0)=0\) and dissipative boundary conditions, without assuming the characteristic matrix on \(\Omega\times \{0\}\) and \(\Omega\times \{T\}\) to be bounded and to have constant rank. This result can be applied to Maxwell's equations in a moving dielectric, under regularity assumptions on the velocity of the medium.