A Fractional Calculus of Variations for Multiple Integrals with Application to Vibrating String

Abstract

We introduce a fractional theory of the calculus of variations for multiple integrals. Our approach uses the recent notions of Riemann-Liouville fractional derivatives and integrals in the sense of Jumarie. Main results provide fractional versions of the theorems of Green and Gauss, fractional Euler-Lagrange equations, and fractional natural boundary conditions. As an application we discuss the fractional equation of motion of a vibrating string.Comment: Accepted for publication in the Journal of Mathematical Physics (14/January/2010