On the stability of periodic solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations in a noncylindrical domain (Q801219)

In a preceding paper [Hiroshima Math. J. 12, 513-528 (1982; Zbl 0526.35068)] the author and \textit{T. Miyakawa} proved the existence and uniqueness of weak solutions of the initial boundary value problem for the Navier-Stokes equations on a time dependent domain in \({\mathbb{R}}^ n\) for \(n=2,3,4\). Moreover, the existence of a periodic solution for an arbitrary external force was obtained there if the domain moves periodically and the boundary data are small enough. In order to obtain sufficient conditions for the stability of the periodic solution in the cases \(n=2,3\) a condition is discussed under which the weak solutions including the periodic one are regular after some instant. Utilizing this condition the stability of the periodic solution among weak solutions with sufficiently small initial condition is proved if its Reynolds number is suitably low. The key assumption on which this result is based is the same one as \textit{J. Serrin} [Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 3, 120-122 (1959; Zbl 0089.191)] required in a different framework. For \(n=2\) another condition is given for the universal stability and uniqueness of the peridic solution.