In this paper, we consider an overdetermined problem of Serrin-type for a two-phase elliptic operator with piecewise constant coefficients. We show the existence of infinitely many branches of nontrivial symmetry breaking solutions which bifurcate from any radially symmetric configuration satisfying some condition on the coefficients.
We consider overdetermined problems of Serrin's type in convex cones for (possibly) degenerate operators in the Euclidean space as well as for a suitable generalization to space forms. We prove rigidity results by showing that the existence of a solution implies that the domain is a spherical sector.
In this paper, we prove the symmetry of the solution to overdetermined problem for the equation $σ_k(D^2u-uI)=C_n^k$ in hyperbolic space. Our approach is based on establishing a Rellich-Pohozaev type identity and using a P function. Our result generalizes the overdetermined problem for Hessian equation in Euclidean space.
In this paper, we deal with an overdetermined problem of Serrin-type with respect to a two-phase elliptic operator in divergence form with piecewise constant coefficients. In particular, we consider the case where the two-phase overdetermined problem is close to the one-phase setting. First, we show quantitative stability estimates for the two-phase problem via a one-phase stability result. Furthermore, we prove non-existence for the corresponding inner problem by the aforementioned two-phase stability result.
We prove the symmetry of solutions to overdetermined problems for a class of fully nonlinear equations, namely Hessian quotient equations and Hessian quotient curvature equations. Our approach is based on establishing a Rellich-Pohozaev type identity for Hessian quotient equations and using a P function. Our result generalizes the overdetermined problems for k-Hessian equations and k-curvature equations.
We study Serrin's overdetermined boundary value problem \begin{equation*} -Δ_{S^N}\, u=1 \quad \text{ in $Ω$},\qquad u=0, \; \partial_ηu=\textrm{const} \quad \text{on $\partial Ω$} \end{equation*} in subdomains $Ω$ of the round unit sphere $S^N \subset \mathbb{R}^{N+1}$, where $Δ_{S^N}$ denotes the Laplace-Beltrami operator on $S^N$. A subdomain $Ω$ of $S^N$ is called a Serrin domain if it admits a solution of this overdetermined problem. In our main result, we construct Serrin domains in $S^N$, $N \ge 2$ which bifurcate from symmetric straight tubular neighborhoods of the equator. Our result …
In this survey we consider the classical overdetermined problem which was studied by Serrin in 1971. The original proof relies on Alexandrov's moving plane method, maximum principles, and a refinement of Hopf's boundary point Lemma. Since then other approaches to the same problem have been devised. Among them we consider the one due to Weinberger which strikes for the elementary arguments used and became very popular. Then we discuss also a duality approach involving harmonic functions, a shape derivative approach and a purely integral approach, all of them not relying on maximum principle. Fo…
We consider an overdetermined Serrin's type problem in space forms and we generalize Weinberger's proof in [Arch. Rational Mech. Anal., 43 (1971)] by introducing a suitable P-function.
We study the existence of nontrivial unbounded domains $Ω$ in $\mathbb{R}^N$ such that the overdetermined problem $$ -Δu = 1 \quad \text{in $Ω$}, \qquad u=0, \quad \partial_νu=\textrm{const} \qquad \text{on $\partial Ω$} $$ admits a solution $u$. By this, we complement Serrin's classification result from 1971 which yields that every bounded domain admitting a solution of the above problem is a ball in $\mathbb{R}^N$. The domains we construct are periodic in some variables and radial in the other variables, and they bifurcate from a straight (generalized) cylinder or slab. We also show that the…
In a bounded domain $Ω$, we consider a positive solution of the problem $Δu+f(u)=0$ in $Ω$, $u=0$ on $\partialΩ$, where $f:\mathbb{R}\to\mathbb{R}$ is a locally Lipschitz continuous function. Under sufficient conditions on $Ω$ (for instance, if $Ω$ is convex), we show that $\partialΩ$ is contained in a spherical annulus of radii $r_i<r_e$, where $r_e-r_i\leq C\,[u_ν]_{\partialΩ}^α$ for some constants $C>0$ and $α\in (0,1]$. Here, $[u_ν]_{\partialΩ}$ is the Lipschitz seminorm on $\partialΩ$ of the normal derivative of $u$. This result improves to Hölder stability the logarithmic estimate obtain…
We consider the solution of the torsion problem $-Δu=1$ in $Ω$ and $u=0$ on $\partial Ω$. Serrin's celebrated symmetry theorem states that, if the normal derivative $u_ν$ is constant on $\partial Ω$, then $Ω$ must be a ball. In a recent paper, it has been conjectured that Serrin's theorem may be obtained {\it by stability} in the following way: first, for the solution $u$ of the torsion problem prove the estimate $$ r_e-r_i\leq C_t\,\Bigl(\max_{Γ_t} u-\min_{Γ_t} u\Bigr) $$ for some constant $C_t$ depending on $t$, where $r_e$ and $r_i$ are the radii of an annulus containing $\partialΩ$ and $Γ_…
In this paper we consider Serrin's overdetermined problems in warped product manifolds and we prove Serrin's type rigidity results by using the P-function approach introduced by Weinberger.
For all $N \geq 9$, we find smooth entire epigraphs in $\R^N$, namely smooth domains of the form $Ω: = \{x\in \R^N\ / \ x_N > F (x_1,\ldots, x_{N-1})\}$, which are not half-spaces and in which a problem of the form $Δu + f(u) = 0 $ in $Ω$ has a positive, bounded solution with 0 Dirichlet boundary data and constant Neumann boundary data on $\partial Ω$. This answers negatively for large dimensions a question by Berestycki, Caffarelli and Nirenberg \cite{bcn2}. In 1971, Serrin \cite{serrin} proved that a bounded domain where such an overdetermined problem is solvable must be a ball, in analogy t…
We consider the solution of the problem $$ -Δu=f(u) \ \mbox{ and } \ u>0 \ \ \mbox{ in } \ Ω, \ \ u=0 \ \mbox{ on } \ Γ, $$ where $Ω$ is a bounded domain in $\mathbb{R}^N$ with boundary $Γ$ of class $C^{2,τ}$, $0<τ<1$, and $f$ is a locally Lipschitz continuous non-linearity. Serrin's celebrated symmetry theorem states that, if the normal derivative $u_ν$ is constant on $Γ$, then $Ω$ must be a ball. In [CMS2], it has been conjectured that Serrin's theorem may be obtained by stability in the following way: first, for a solution $u$ prove the estimate $$ r_e-r_i\le C_δ\,[u]_{Γ^δ} $$ for some cons…
This paper concerns rigidity results to Serrin's overdetermined problem in an epigraph $$ \{\begin{aligned} &Δu+ f(u)=0,\ \ \ {in}\ Ω=\{(x^\prime,x_n): x_n>φ(x^\prime)\},\\ &u>0,\ \ \ {in}\ Ω,\\ &u=0,\ \ \ {on}\ \partialΩ,\\ &|\nabla u|=const. {on} \partialΩ. \end{aligned}. $$ We prove that up to isometry the epigraph must be an half space and that the solution $u$ must be one-dimensional, provided that one of the following assumptions are satisfied: either $n=2$; or $ φ$ is globally Lipschitz, or $n \leq 8$ and $ \frac{\partial u}{\partial x_n} >0$ in $Ω$. In view of the counterexample constr…
We prove a rigidity result for Serrin's overdetermined problem in a cone that is contained in a half-space in arbitrary dimensions. In the special case where the cone is an epigraph, this result was shown previously in low dimensions with a different approach.
We study some overdetermined problems for possibly anisotropic degenerate elliptic PDEs, including the well-known Serrin's overdetermined problem, and we prove the corresponding Wulff shape characterizations by using some integral identities and just one pointwise inequality. Our techniques provide a somehow unified approach to this variety of problems.
We prove that the existence of a solution to a fully nonlinear elliptic equation in a bounded domain $Ω$ with an overdetermined boundary condition prescribing both Dirichlet and Neumann constant data forces the domain $Ω$ to be a ball. This is a generalization of Serrin's classical result from 1971.
In this paper, we consider the overdetermined problem for fully non linear singular or degenerate elliptic operators in bounded smooth domains with both Dirichlet and Neumann condition, as in the classical result of Serrin we prove that the existence of nontrivial constant sign solution imply that the domain is a ball.
We present a quantitative estimate for the radially symmetric configuration concerning a Serrin-type overdetermined problem for the torsional rigidity in a bounded domain $Ω$, when the equation is known on $Ω\setminus \overlineω$ only, for some open subset $ω\Subset Ω$. The problem has concrete motivations in optimal heating with malfunctioning, laminar flows and beams with small inhomogeneities.
Let $u$ denote a solution to a rotationally invariant Hessian equation $F(D^2u)=0$ on a bounded simply connected domain $Ω\subset R^2$, with constant Dirichlet and Neumann data on $\partial Ω$. In this paper we prove that if $u$ is real analytic and not identically zero, then $u$ is radial and $Ω$ is a disk. The fully nonlinear operator $F\not\equiv 0$ is of general type, and in particular, not assumed to be elliptic. We also show that the result is sharp, in the sense that it is not true if $Ω$ is not simply connected, or if $u$ is $C^{\infty}$ but not real analytic.
We examine Serrin's classical overdetermined problem under a perturbation of the Neumann boundary condition. The solution of the problem for a constant Neumann boundary condition exists provided that the underlying domain is a ball. The question arises whether for a perturbation of the constant there still are domains admitting solutions to the problem. Furthermore, one may ask whether a domain that admits a solution for the perturbed problem is unique up to translation and whether it is close to the ball. We develop a new implicit function theorem for a pair of Banach triplets that is applica…
We consider Serrin's overdetermined problem for the torsional rigidity and Alexandrov's Soap Bubble Theorem. We present new integral identities, that show a strong analogy between the two problems and help to obtain better (in some cases optimal) quantitative estimates for the radially symmetric configuration. The estimates for the Soap Bubble Theorem benefit from those of Serrin's problem.
We consider an overdetermined problem of Serrin-type with respect to an operator in divergence form with piecewise constant coefficients. We give sufficient condition for unique solvability near radially symmetric configurations by means of a perturbation argument relying on shape derivatives and the implicit function theorem. This problem is also treated numerically, by means of a steepest descent algorithm based on a Kohn-Vogelius functional.
We extend the symmetry result of Serrin and Weinberger from the Laplacian operator to the highly degenerate game-theoretic $p$-Laplacian operator and show that viscosity solutions of $-Δ_p^Nu=1$ in $Ω$, $u=0$ and $\tfrac{\partial u}{\partialν}=-c\neq 0$ on $\partialΩ$ can only exist on a bounded domain $Ω$ if $Ω$ is a ball.
We present new quantitative estimates for the radially symmetric configuration concerning Serrin's overdetermined problem for the torsional rigidity, Alexandrov's Soap Bubble Theorem, and other related problems. The new estimates improve on those obtained in two our previous articles, and are in some cases optimal.
We consider the $p$-Laplacian equation $-Δ_p u=1$ for $1<p<2$, on a regular bounded domain $Ω\subset\mathbb R^N$, with $N\ge2$, under homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. In the spirit of Alexandrov's Soap Bubble Theorem and of Serrin's symmetry result for the overdetermined problems, we prove that if the mean curvature $H$ of $\partialΩ$ is constant, then $Ω$ is a ball and the unique solution of the Dirichlet $p$-Laplacian problem is radial. The main tools used are integral identities, the $P$-function, and the maximum principle.
We consider the classical "Serrin symmetry result" for the overdetermined boundary value problem related to the equation $Δu=-1$ in a model manifold of non-negative Ricci curvature. Using an extension of the Weinberger classical argument we prove a Euclidean symmetry result under a suitable "compatibility" assumption between the solution and the geometry of the model.
The distinguished names in the title have to do with influential proofs of the celebrated Soap Bubble Theorem and of radial symmetry in certain overdetermined boundary value problems. We shall give an overeview of those results and indicate some of their ramifications. We will also show how more recent proofs uncover the path to some stability results for the relevant problems.
We exhibit several counterexamples showing that the famous Serrin's symmetry result for semilinear elliptic overdetermined problems may not hold for partially overdetermined problems, that is when both Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions are prescribed only on part of the boundary. Our counterexamples enlighten subsequent positive symmetry results obtained by the first two authors for such partially overdetermined systems and justify their assumptions as well.
We obtain the radial symmetry of the solution to a partially overdetermined boundary value problem in a convex cone in space forms by using the maximum principle for a suitable subharmonic function $P$ and integral identities. In dimension $2$, we prove Serrin-type results for partially overdetermined problems outside a convex cone. Furthermore, we obtain a Rellich identity for an eigenvalue problem with mixed boundary conditions in a cone.
We consider a partially overdetermined problem in a sector-like domain $Ω$ in a cone $Σ$ in $\mathbb{R}^N$, $N\geq 2$, and prove a rigidity result of Serrin type by showing that the existence of a solution implies that $Ω$ is a spherical sector, under a convexity assumption on the cone. We also consider the related question of characterizing constant mean curvature compact surfaces $Γ$ with boundary which satisfy a "gluing" condition with respect to the cone $Σ$. We prove that if either the cone is convex or the surface is a radial graph then $Γ$ must be a spherical cap. Finally we show that, …
In this paper, we study the symmetry properties of nondegenerate critical points of shape functionals using the implicit function theorem. We show that, if a shape functional is invariant with respect to some continuous group of rotations, then its nondegenerate critical points (bounded open sets with smooth enough boundary) share the same symmetries. We also consider the case where the shape functional exhibits translational invariance in addition to just rotational invariance. Finally, we study the applications of this result to the theory of one/two-phase overdetermined problems of Serrin-t…
Given an open bounded subset $Ω$ of $\mathbb{R}^n$, which is convex and satisfies an interior sphere condition, we consider the pde $-Δ_{\infty} u = 1$ in $Ω$, subject to the homogeneous boundary condition $u = 0$ on $\partial Ω$. We prove that the unique solution to this Dirichlet problem is power-concave (precisely, 3/4 concave) and it is of class $C ^1(Ω)$. We then investigate the overdetermined Serrin-type problem obtained by adding the extra boundary condition $|\nabla u| = a$ on $\partial Ω$; by using a suitable $P$-function we prove that, if $Ω$ satisfies the same assumptions as above a…
We consider a class of overdetermined problems in rotationally symmetric spaces, which reduce to the classical Serrin's overdetermined problem in the case of the Euclidean space. We prove some general integral identities for rotationally symmetric spaces which imply a rigidity result in the case of the round sphere.