comparison theorems for multicomponent diffusion systems developments since 1961自1961年以来比较定理多组分扩散系统的发展.pdfVIP

c Journal of Applied Mathematics Decision Sciences, 4(2), 151{163 (2000) Reprints Available directly from the Editor. Printed in New Zealand. Comparison Theorems for Multicomp onent Diusion Systems: Developments since 1961 M.I. NELSON amt5man@amsta.leeds.ac.uk Department of Fuel and Energy, The University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK. Abstract. Comparison theorems may b e used to prove the existence and uniqueness of solutions to certain typ es of partial dierential equations. They provide b ounds for solutions and can b e used as the basis of numerical techniques for the computation of solutions. In 1961 Alex McNabb published one of the rst pap ers extending their use to multi-comp onent systems. Developments in the theory and applications of such results, through citations of this original pap er, are reviewed. Keywords: comparison theorems, reaction-diusion equations. 1. Intro duction For a scalar nonlinear diusion equation the maximum principle and comparison theorems lead to existence and uniqueness results for initial-b oundary-value prob- lems by supplying a priori b ounds on the solution. They are also a useful to ol in investigating solution stability. There has b een a considerable amount of activity over the last thirty years in ex- tending these metho ds to certain systems of parab olic partial dierential equations. In general there are limitations when considering multi-comp onent systems, which leads to weaker results than is the case for the scalar equation. Maximum principles are discussed in detail in Protter and Weinb erger[21] and Sp erb[23] , and for parab olic equations in Fri