C0-semigroup

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In mathematics, a C0-semigroup is a continuous morphism from (R+,+) into a topological monoid, usually L(H), the algebra of linear continuous operators on some Hilbert space H.

Thus, strictly speaking, not the C0-semigroup, but rather its image, is a semigroup.

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[edit] Example

C0-semigroups occur for example in the context of initial value problems,

\frac{\mathrm dx}{\mathrm dt} = f(x,t) ;~ x(0) = x_0 ~,\qquad\rm(CP)

where x and f take values in a Hilbert space H.

If the solution of (CP) is unique (depending on f) for x0 in some given domain DH, one has the "solution operator" defined by

\Gamma(t)\,x_0 = x(t) , where x(t) is solution of (CP).

Thus one can view Γ as an "evolution operator", and it is clear that one should have

Γ(s+t)=Γ(s) Γ(t)

on the domain D. This is just the condition of a semigroup-morphism.

Then one can study the conditions under which Γ is continuous for the topology on L(H) induced by the norm on H, which amounts to check that

\lim_{t\to0^+} \|\Gamma(t)\,x_0 - x_0 \| = 0

for each x0 in D.

[edit] Formal definition

All that follows concerns the following definition:

A (strongly continuous) C0-semigroup on a Hilbert space H is a map

Γ : R+L(H)

such that

  1. Γ(0) = I := idH ,   (identity operator on H)
  2. ∀ t,s ≥ 0 : Γ(t+s) = Γ(t) Γ(s)
  3. x0H : || Γ(t) x0 - x0 || → 0 , as t → 0 .

[edit] Infinitesimal generator

The infinitesimal generator A of a C0-semigroup Γ is defined by

A\,x = \lim_{t\to0} \frac1t\,(\Gamma(t)- I)\,x

whenever the limit exists. The domain of A, D(A), is the set of x ∈ H for which this limit does exist.

[edit] Stability

The growth bound of a semigroup Γ (on a Hilbert space) is the constant

\omega = \lim_{t\to0} \frac1t \log \| \Gamma(t) \| .

It is so called as this number is also the infimum of all real numbers w such that there exists a constant M (≥ 1) with

\|\Gamma(t)\| \leq Me^{wt}

for all t ≥ 0.

The semigroup is exponentially stable, i.e.

\exists K,a > 0,~ \forall t\ge0: \| \Gamma(t) \| \le K\,e^{- a\,t}

if and only if its growth bound is negative.

One has the following:

Theorem: A semigroup is exponentially stable if and only if for every x \in H there is C > 0 such that

\int_{\mathbb R_+} {\|\Gamma(t)\,x\|}^2\mathrm dt < C .

[edit] See also

  • Schrödinger semigroups

[edit] References

  • E Hille, R S Phillips: Functional Analysis and Semi-Groups. American Mathematical Society, 1957.
  • R F Curtain, H J Zwart: An introduction to infinite dimensional linear systems theory. Springer Verlag, 1995.