Generalized vector potential and Trace Theorem for Lipschitz domains

TL;DR

This paper establishes a general existence theorem for vector potentials of divergence-free functions in Sobolev spaces, leading to space decomposition and trace theorems for Lipschitz domains, with straightforward proof methods.

Contribution

It introduces a broad existence theorem for vector potentials in Sobolev spaces and derives related space decomposition and trace theorems for Lipschitz domains.

Findings

Existence theorem for vector potentials in $W^{m,p}$ spaces.

Space decomposition theorem for divergence-free functions.

Trace theorem for Sobolev functions on Lipschitz domains.

Abstract

The vector potential is a fundamental concept widely applied across various fields. This paper presents an existence theorem of a vector potential for divergence-free functions in $W^{m,p}(\mathbb{R}^N,\mathbb{T})$ with general $m,p,N$. Based on this theorem, one can establish the space decomposition theorem for functions in $W^{m,p}_0(\operatorname{curl};\Omega,\mathbb{R}^N)$ and the trace theorem for functions in $W^{m,p}(\Omega)$ within the Lipschitz domain $\Omega \subset \mathbb{R}^N$. The methods of proof employed in this paper are straightforward, natural, and consistent.