Group analysis of differential equations and generalized functions

We present an extension of the methods of classical Lie group analysis of differential equations to equations involving generalized functions (in particular: distributions). A suitable framework for such a generalization is provided by Colombeau's theory of algebras of generalized functions. We show that under some mild conditions on the differential equations, symmetries of classical solutions remain symmetries for generalized solutions. Moreover, we introduce a generalization of the infinitesimal methods of group analysis that allows to compute symmetries of linear and nonlinear differential equations containing generalized function terms. Thereby, the group generators and group actions may be given by generalized functions themselves.Comment: 27 pages, LaTe

Elliptic regularity and solvability for partial differential equations with Colombeau coefficients

The paper addresses questions of existence and regularity of solutions to linear partial differential equations whose coefficients are generalized functions or generalized constants in the sense of Colombeau. We introduce various new notions of ellipticity and hypoellipticity, study their interrelation, and give a number of new examples and counterexamples. Using the concept of \G^\infty-regularity of generalized functions, we derive a general global regularity result in the case of operators with constant generalized coefficients, a more specialized result for second order operators, and a microlocal regularity result for certain first order operators with variable generalized coefficients. We also prove a global solvability result for operators with constant generalized coefficients and compactly supported Colombeau generalized functions as right hand sides