Optimization Of Elliptic Systems

Optimization of Elliptic Systems

The present monograph is intended to provide a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the optimization of elliptic systems. This area of mathematical research, which has many important applications in science and technology. has experienced an impressive development during the past two decades. There are already many good textbooks dealing with various aspects of optimal design problems. In this regard, we refer to the works of Pironneau [1984], Haslinger and Neittaanmaki [1988], [1996], Sokolowski and Zolksio [1992], Litvinov [2000], Allaire [2001], Mohammadi and Pironneau [2001], Delfour and Zolksio [2001], and Makinen and Haslinger [2003]. Already Lions [I9681 devoted a major part of his classical monograph on the optimal control of partial differential equations to the optimization of elliptic systems. Let us also mention that even the very first known problem of the calculus of variations, the brachistochrone studied by Bernoulli back in 1696. is in fact a shape optimization problem. The natural richness of this mathematical research subject, as well as the extremely large field of possible applications, has created the unusual situation that although many important results and methods have already been est- lished, there are still pressing unsolved questions. In this monograph, we aim to address some of these open problems; as a consequence, there is only a minor overlap with the textbooks already existing in the field.

Optimal Shape Design for Elliptic Systems

The study of optimal shape design can be arrived at by asking the following question: "What is the best shape for a physical system?" This book is an applications-oriented study of such physical systems; in particular, those which can be described by an elliptic partial differential equation and where the shape is found by the minimum of a single criterion function. There are many problems of this type in high-technology industries. In fact, most numerical simulations of physical systems are solved not to gain better understanding of the phenomena but to obtain better control and design. Problems of this type are described in Chapter 2. Traditionally, optimal shape design has been treated as a branch of the calculus of variations and more specifically of optimal control. This subject interfaces with no less than four fields: optimization, optimal control, partial differential equations (PDEs), and their numerical solutions-this is the most difficult aspect of the subject. Each of these fields is reviewed briefly: PDEs (Chapter 1), optimization (Chapter 4), optimal control (Chapter 5), and numerical methods (Chapters 1 and 4).

Optimal Shape Design for Elliptic Systems