Symmetry in the composite plate problem

Abstract

In this paper we deal with the composite plate problem, namely the following optimization eigenvalue problem $$ \inf_{\rho \in \mathrm{P}} \inf_{u \in \mathcal{W}\setminus\{0\}} \frac{\int_{\Omega}(\Delta u)^2}{\int_{\Omega} \rho u^2}, $$ where $\mathrm{P}$ is a class of admissible densities, $\mathcal{W}= H^{2}_{0}(\Omega)$ for Dirichlet boundary conditions and $\mathcal W= H^2(\Omega) \cap H^1_{0}(\Omega)$ for Navier boundary conditions. The associated Euler-Lagrange equation is a fourth-order elliptic PDE governed by the biharmonic operator $\Delta^2$. In the spirit of [10], we study qualitative properties of the optimal pairs $(u,\rho)$. In particular, we prove existence and regularity and we find the explicit expression of $\rho$. When $\Omega$ is a ball, we can also prove uniqueness of the optimal pair, as well as positivity of $u$ and radial symmetry of both $u$ and $\rho$.