Generalised energy conservation law for wave equations with variable propagation speed (Q1029129)

The article refers to the Cauchy problem for the homogeneous wave equation with variable propagation speed. There is an investigation of the behavior of the energy when \(t\) tends to infinity in case coefficients have very fast oscillations combined with a stabilization condition. The coefficient \(a(t)\) of Laplacian term is represented as the product between a shape function and a bounded perturbation. The paper turns around, adopts methodology, interprets and extends the results of the authors, to be found in [\textit{F. Hirosawa}, Math. Ann. 339, No.~4, 819--838 (2007; Zbl 1132.35054), and \textit{F. Hirosawa} and \textit{J. Wirth}, J. Math. Anal. Appl. 343, No.~2, 1022--1035 (2008; Zbl 1148.35043)]. The approach here is the combination of estimates for higher order derivatives of the coefficient with the stabilization property. Investigated are representation of solutions and energy inequalities. At the end a large number of examples and counter-examples are shown.