Existence of free boundaries for overdetermined value problems: Sharp conditions, regularity, and physical applications

TL;DR

This paper establishes sharp conditions for free boundary existence in overdetermined Laplacian and bi-Laplacian problems, with applications across physics and shape optimization, using classical inequalities and regularity theory.

Contribution

It provides necessary and sufficient conditions for free boundary existence in ODVPs, introduces refined estimates, and connects these problems to physical models like plate theory.

Findings

Derived existence results for broad classes of free boundary problems.

Established regularity of minimizers using geometric and potential theory tools.

Connected free boundary conditions to physical applications such as electromagnetism and shape optimization.

Abstract

This paper provides necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of free boundaries in overdetermined value-problems (ODVP) for the Laplacian, and sufficient conditions for the bi-Laplacian, when the overdetermined boundary condition is non-constant. Using classical integral inequalities (Cauchy-Schwarz, H\"{o}lder, Hardy, eigenvalue bounds, Pohozaev and Reilly identities), we derive existence results for a broad class of free boundary problems arising in potential theory, plate theory, electromagnetism, and shape optimization. A regularity result for minimizers in the \(C\)-GNP class is established using the thickness function and the Wiener criterion, based on the geometric description of cusp points given in \cite{barkatou2002}. New results include refined estimates via interpolation inequalities, stability under perturbations, and connections with isoperimetric inequalities. Detailed analysis of the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of solutions to the ODVP is given. The physical interpretation of the bi-Laplacian problem \(\mathcal{B}(f,g)\) in the Kirchhoff-Love theory of thin plates is emphasized.