A variational approach in weighted Sobolev spaces to the operator \(- \Delta +\partial /\partial x_ 1\) in exterior domains of \({\mathbb{R}}^ 3\) (Q803393)

Consider the Dirichlet problem \(-\nu \Delta u+k\partial_ 1u=f\) with \(\nu,k>0\) in \({\mathbb{R}}^ 3\) or in an exterior domain of \({\mathbb{R}}^ 3\) where the skew-symmetric differential operator \(\partial_ 1=\partial /\partial x_ 1\) is a singular perturbation of the Laplacian. Because of the inhomogeneity of the fundamental solution we study existence, uniqueness and regularity in Sobolev spaces with anisotropic weights. In these spaces the operator \(\partial_ 1\) yields an additional positive definite term giving better results than in Sobolev spaces with radial weights. The elliptic equation \(-\nu \Delta u+k\partial_ 1u=f\) can be taken as a model problem for the Oseen equations, a linearized form of the Navier-Stokes equations.