arXiv subjects

Annalaura Rebucci

Publications and source records attributed to Annalaura Rebucci.

10 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A variational approach to Ornstein-Uhlenbeck evolution equations and obstacle problems

We develop a variational formulation of the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck evolution equation based on a Gaussian divergence structure, in which the drift term is absorbed into the first variation of a weighted Dirichlet energy rather than treated as a lower-order perturbation. For the linear equation, the distributional, energy weak, and variational notions of solution coincide and determine the same unique solution. The same framework yields a variational formulation of the associated parabolic obstacle problem, for which we prove existence and then uniqueness under a standard additional regularity assumption on the obstacle. The same mechanism applies to nonlinear Gaussian gradient flows associated with convex integrands of standard $p$-growth. Finally, we extend the Gaussian-divergence formulation to the force-free kinetic Fokker-Planck equation with periodic position variables, establishing the same equivalence for the linear equation.

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arXiv2026

Poincaré inequality and quantitative De Giorgi method for hypoelliptic operators

We propose a systematic approach based on trajectories to prove a Poincaré inequality for weak non-negative sub-solutions to hypoelliptic equations with an arbitrary number of Hörmander commutators, both in the local and in the non-local case. As a consequence, we deduce the weak Harnack inequality and Hölder regularity along the line of the De Giorgi method.

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arXiv2025

Fundamental solution and Harnack inequality for subelliptic evolution operators on Carnot groups

In this paper we study regularity properties of a class of subelliptic evolution operators. We first prove the existence of the fundamental solution by means of Levi's parametrix method, establishing also several key properties. We then employ these results, together with some mean value formulas, to prove a maximum principle and an invariant Harnack inequality for the classical solutions to the equations under study. Our analysis critically relies on the Carnot Caratheodory geometry naturally induced by the vector fields defining these operators.

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arXiv2025

Geometric interpretation of the vanishing Lie Bracket for two-dimensional rough vector fields

In this paper, we prove that if $X,Y$ are continuous, Sobolev vector fields with bounded divergence on the real plane and $[X,Y]=0$, then their flows commute. In particular, we improve the previous result of Colombo-Tione (2021), where the authors require the additional assumption of the weak Lie differentiability on one of the two flows. We also discuss possible extensions to the $\text{BV}$ setting.

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arXiv2023

New perspectives on recent trends for Kolmogorov operators

After carrying out an overview on the non Euclidean geometrical setting suitable for the study of Kolmogorov operators with rough coefficients, we list some properties of the functional space $\mathcal{W}$, mirroring the classical $H^1$ theory for uniformly elliptic operators. Then we provide the reader with the proof of a new Sobolev embedding for functions in $\mathcal{W}$. Additionally, after reviewing recent results regarding weak regularity theory, we discuss some of their recent applications to real life problems arising both in Physics and in Economics. Finally, we conclude our analysis stating some recent results regarding the study of nonlinear nonlocal kinetic Kolmogorov-Fokker-Planck operators.

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arXiv2023

On the obstacle problem associated to the Kolmogorov-Fokker-Planck operator with rough coefficients

This work is devoted to the study of the obstacle problem associated to the Kolmogorov-Fokker-Planck operator with rough coefficients through a variational approach. In particular, after the introduction of a proper anisotropic Sobolev space and related properties, we prove the existence and uniqueness of a weak solution for the obstacle problem by adapting a classical perturbation argument to the convex functional associated to the case of our interest. Finally, we conclude this work by providing a one-sided associated variational inequality, alongside with an overview on related open problems.

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arXiv2022

Harnack inequality and asymptotic lower bounds for the relativistic Fokker-Planck operator

We consider a class of second order degenerate kinetic operators $\mathscr{L}$ in the framework of special relativity. We first describe $\mathscr{L}$ as an Hörmander operator which is invariant with respect to Lorentz transformations. Then we prove a Lorentz-invariant Harnack type inequality, and we derive accurate asymptotic lower bounds for positive solutions to $\mathscr{L} f = 0$. As a consequence we obtain a lower bound for the density of the relativistic stochastic process associated to $\mathscr{L}$.

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arXiv2021

A note on the weak regularity theory for degenerate Kolmogorov equations

The aim of this work is to prove a Harnack inequality and the Hölder continuity for weak solutions to the Kolmogorov equation $\mathscr{L} u = f$ with measurable coefficients, integrable lower order terms and nonzero source term. We introduce a functional space $\mathcal{W}$, suitable for the study of weak solutions to $\mathscr{L}u = f$, that allows us to prove a weak Poincaré inequality. More precisely, our goal is to prove a weak Harnack inequality for non-negative super-solutions by considering their Log-transform and following S. N. Kruzkov (1963). Then this functional inequality is combined with a classical covering argument (Ink-Spots Theorem) that we extend for the fist time to the case of ultraparabolic equations.

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arXiv2021

Pointwise estimates for degenerate Kolmogorov equations with $L^p$-source term

The aim of this paper is to establish new pointwise regularity results for solutions to degenerate second order partial differential equations with a Kolmogorov-type operator of the form $$\mathscr{L} :=\sum_{i,j=1}^m \partial^2_{x_i x_j } +\sum_{i,j=1}^N b_{ij}x_j\partial_{x_i}-\partial_t, $$ where $(x,t) \in \mathbb{R}^{N+1}$, $1 \leq m \le N$ and the matrix $B:=(b_{ij})_{i,j=1,\ldots,N}$ has real constant entries. In particular, we show that if the modulus of $L^p$-mean oscillation of $\mathscr{L} u$ at the origin is Dini, then the origin is a Lebesgue point of continuity in $L^p$ average for the second order derivatives $\partial^2_{x_i x_j} u$, $i,j=1,\ldots,m$, and the Lie derivative $\left(\sum_{i,j=1}^N b_{ij}x_j\partial_{x_i}-\partial_t\right)u$. Moreover, we are able to provide a Taylor-type expansion up to second order with estimate of the rest in $L^p$ norm. The proof is based on decay estimates, which we achieve by contradiction, blow-up and compactness results.

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arXiv2021

Schauder type estimates for degenerate Kolmogorov equations with Dini continuous coefficients

We study the regularity properties of the second order linear operator in $\mathbb{R}^{N+1}$: \begin{equation*} \mathscr{L} u := \sum_{j,k= 1}^{m} a_{jk}\partial_{x_j x_k}^2 u + \sum_{j,k= 1}^{N} b_{jk}x_k \partial_{x_j} u - \partial_t u, \end{equation*} where $A = \left( a_{jk} \right)_{j,k= 1, \dots, m}, B= \left( b_{jk} \right)_{j,k= 1, \dots, N}$ are real valued matrices with constant coefficients, with $A$ symmetric and strictly positive. We prove that, if the operator $\mathscr{L}$ satisfies Hörmander's hypoellipticity condition, and $f$ is a Dini continuous function, then the second order derivatives of the solution $u$ to the equation $\mathscr{L} u = f$ are Dini continuous functions as well. We also consider the case of Dini continuous coefficients $a_{jk}$'s. A key step in our proof is a Taylor formula for classical solutions to $\mathscr{L} u = f$ that we establish under minimal regularity assumptions on $u$.

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