Spectral Optimization Problems

In this survey paper we present a class of shape optimization problems where the cost function involves the solution of a PDE of elliptic type in the unknown domain. In particular, we consider cost functions which depend on the spectrum of an elliptic operator and we focus on the existence of an optimal domain. The known results are presented as well as a list of still open problems. Related fields as optimal partition problems, evolution flows, Cheeger-type problems, are also considered.Comment: 42 pages with 8 figure

On the characterization of the compact embedding of Sobolev spaces

For every positive regular Borel measure, possibly infinite valued, vanishing on all sets of $p$-capacity zero, we characterize the compactness of the embedding W^{1,p}({\bf R}^N)\cap L^p ({\bf R}^N,\mu)\hr L^q({\bf R}^N) in terms of the qualitative behavior of some characteristic PDE. This question is related to the well posedness of a class of geometric inequalities involving the torsional rigidity and the spectrum of the Dirichlet Laplacian introduced by Polya and Szeg\"o in 1951. In particular, we prove that finite torsional rigidity of an arbitrary domain (possibly with infinite measure), implies the compactness of the resolvent of the Laplacian.Comment: 19 page

Shape optimization problems on metric measure spaces

We consider shape optimization problems of the form $$\min\big\{J(\Omega)\ :\ \Omega\subset X,\ m(\Omega)\le c\big\},$$ where $X$ is a metric measure space and $J$ is a suitable shape functional. We adapt the notions of $\gamma$-convergence and weak $\gamma$-convergence to this new general abstract setting to prove the existence of an optimal domain. Several examples are pointed out and discussed.Comment: 27 pages, the final publication is available at http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-functional-analysis

Improved energy bounds for Schr\"odinger operators

Given a potential $V$ and the associated Schr\"odinger operator $-\Delta+V$, we consider the problem of providing sharp upper and lower bound on the energy of the operator. It is known that if for example $V$ or $V^{-1}$ enjoys suitable summability properties, the problem has a positive answer. In this paper we show that the corresponding isoperimetric-like inequalities can be improved by means of quantitative stability estimates.Comment: 31 page

Overdetermined boundary value problems for the ∞\infty-Laplacian

We consider overdetermined boundary value problems for the $\infty$-Laplacian in a domain $\Omega$ of $\R^n$ and discuss what kind of implications on the geometry of $\Omega$ the existence of a solution may have. The classical $\infty$-Laplacian, the normalized or game-theoretic $\infty$-Laplacian and the limit of the $p$-Laplacian as $p\to \infty$ are considered and provide different answers.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figur