Acta Mathematica Scientia 2018,38B(6):1637–1654

http://actams.wipm.ac.cn

NONLINEAR SEMIGROUP APPROACH TO

TRANSPORT EQUATIONS WITH DELAYED
NEUTRONS∗

Abdul-Majeed AL-IZERI Khalid LATRACH†

Département de Mathématiques, Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, LMBP, F-63000
Clermont-Ferrand, France
E-mail : Abdul− Majeed.Al− izeri@math.univ-bpclermont.fr; khalid.latrach@uca.fr

Abstract This paper deal with a nonlinear transport equation with delayed neutron and
general boundary conditions. We establish, via the nonlinear semigroups approach, the exis-
tence and uniqueness of the mild solution, weak solution, strong solution and local solution
on Lp -spaces (1 ≤ p < +∞). Local and non local evolution problems are discussed.
Key words transport equation with delayed neutrons; general boundary conditions; quasi-
accretive operators; mild solution; strong solution; local and global solutions
2010 MR Subject Classification 47H06; 34A12; 35F20

1 Introduction

The kinetic neutron transport equation describes the time evolution of a neutron popula-
tion in interaction with the background matter [2, 9]. It was considered in different fields of
mathematical physics to describe transport processes of particles. The literature devoted to
various mathematical aspects deals with transport equations in non-multiplying media (see, for
example, [12, 14, 21] and the references therein). The derivation of neutron transport equation
in non-multiplying media is based on the physical assumption that the production of neutrons
after a collision of neutrons with a nucleus of the host material is instantaneous. However, in
a multiplying medium, the absorption of neutrons by a fissile nucleus may give rise to frag-
ments which act as delayed neutrons emitters (precursors). In fact, small fraction of neutrons is
emitted later due to certain fission products. The origin of these delayed neutrons is in general
attributed to β − -decay of highly excited fission products and their decay products. To ascertain
the time-dependent behavior of a nuclear reactor, one must account for the emission of these so
called delayed neutrons, for the small fraction of neutrons that are delayed make chain reaction
far more sluggish under most conditions than would first appear. Thus, in multiplying media,
precursors are grouped into few decay time groups and as much precursor equations exist as
∗ Received March 7, 2017; revised November 2, 2017.
† Corresponding author: Khalid LATRACH.
1638 ACTA MATHEMATICA SCIENTIA Vol.38 Ser.B

a time groups are to be considered. The emitted delayed neutrons appear as a source term at
the rate of the precursor decay [2, 9].
In the linear case, the time evolution of the density of neutrons f0 and the precursor
densities fi , 1 ≤ i ≤ N, are given by

 df0

 (t, x, v) + v.∇x f0 (t, x, v) = −σ(x, v)f0 (t, x, v)

 dt



 XN

 + λi βi (x, v)fi (t, x, v) + (K0 f0 )(t, x, v),
i=1 (1.1)



 df i

 (t, x, v) + λi fi (t, x, v) = (Ki f0 )(t, x, v) (1 ≤ i ≤ N ),

 dt



fi (0, x, v) = fi0 (x, v), i = 0, 1, 2, · · · , N,

where Z Z
(Ki f0 )(t, x, v) = κi (x, v, v ′ )f0 (t, x, v ′ )dxdµ(v ′ ), i = 0, 1, · · · , N,
D V

where t ≥ 0, (x, v) ∈ D × V. Here D is a smooth open subset of RN , µ(·) is a positive Radon

measure on RN such that µ(0) = 0 and we denote by V its support (V is called the space of
admissible velocities). The function f0 represents the neutrons density, fi (t, x, v) represents
the density of the i-th group delayed neutron emitters and {λi , 1 ≤ i ≤ N } are radioactive
decay constants [19]. The functions σ(·, ·) and κi (·, ·, ·) are called, respectively, the collision
frequency and the scattering kernel which are, in general, nonlinear functions of f0 while βi (x, v),
i = 1, 2, · · ·, N, are essentially bounded functions which denote physical parameters related to
the i-th group delayed neutrons.
Problem (1.1) was discussed by many authors. It was solved, in L2 -setting, by Marti [19] by
using the linear semigroup approach. Although transport equations in non-multiplying media
were extensively studied, in particular, from the spectral theory point of view point (see, [14, 21]
and the references therein), to our knowledge, except the work [21, Chapter 5], problem (1.1)
was studied only for very simple examples in one dimension [13, 17, 19, 20].
This paper is inspired and motivated by the work [18] where existence and uniqueness of
the solution to the following problem

 df0

 (t, x, v) + v.∇x f0 (t, x, v) = −σ(x, v, f0 (t, x, v))

 dt

 Z XN


 + κ0 (x, v, v ′ , f0 (t, x, v ′ ))dµ(v ′ ) + λi βi (x, v)fi (t, x, v),
V
Z i=1 (1.2)

 dfi

 (t, x, v) + λi fi (t, x, v) = κi (x, v, v ′ , f0 (t, x, v ′ ))dµ(v ′ ) (1 ≤ i ≤ N ),



 dt V

f (0, x, v) = f (x, v),
i i0 i = 0, 1, 2, · · · , N,

where σ(·, ·, ·) and κi (·, ·, ·, ·), i = 0, 1, · · · , N, are nonlinear functions of the density of neutrons,
f0 and f 0 = (f00 , f01 , · · · , f0N )⊥ stands for initial data. Using the semilinear evolution equa-
tions approach, the author established existence and uniqueness of solution to Problem (1.2)

for vacuum boundary conditions, i.e., f0 |Γ− = 0 where Γ− = (x, v) ∈ ∂D × V : v.νx < 0 .
The main goal of this paper is to discuss existence and uniqueness of solutions to Problem
No.6 A. Al-Izeri & K. Latrach: ON AN EVOLUTION NEUTRON TRANSPORT EQUATION 1639

(1.2) for general boundary conditions, that is

f0 |Γ− = H(f0 |Γ+ ), (1.3)


where Γ+ = (x, v) ∈ ∂D × V : v.νx > 0 , H is a linear bounded operator from a suitable
functions space on Γ+ to a similar one on Γ− . The known classical boundary conditions (vacuum
boundary specular reflections, diffuse reflections, periodic and mixed type boundary conditions)
are special examples of our framework. Our approach is based on nonlinear semigroups theory
and it is in the spirit of the works [10, 11, 22]. The paper is organized as follows:
• Introduction,
• Preliminaries,
• Statement of theorems
• Some lemmas,
• Proofs,
• Annex.
In Section 2 we introduce the functional setting and gather some preliminary facts in
connection with the problem. The main results of this paper (Theorems 3.2 and 3.3) are stated
in Section 3. Some preparatory lemmas required in the proof of our results are established in
Section 4. Section 5 is devoted to the proofs of our theorems.
For to be more precise, in Theorem 3.2 we establish that Problem (1.2)–(1.3) admits a


unique mild solution on the space Lp D × V, dxdµ(v) , 1 ≤ p < +∞. Further we show that if
1 < p < +∞, then this solution is also a weak solution of the problem. Moreover, if the initial
data f 0 = (f00 , f01 , · · · , f0N )⊥ belongs to D(AH ) (according to Remark 2.2, this is equivalent
to f00 ∈ D(TH )), then we get a unique strong solution. In Theorem 3.3 we deal with the
following non local problem

 df0

 (t, x, v) + v.∇x f0 (t, x, v) = −σ1 (x, v, hf0 i)f0

 dt

 Z XN



 + κ 1
(x, v, v ′
, hf 0 i)f 0 (t, x, v ′
)dµ(v ′
) + λi βi (x, v)fi (t, x, v),

 0
V
Z i=1
dfi (1.4)


 (t, x, v) + λi fi (t, x, v) = κ1i (x, v, v ′ , hf0 i)f0 (t, x, v ′ )dµ(v ′ ) (1 ≤ i ≤ N ),

 dt V



 fi (0, x, v) = f0i (x, v), i = 0, 1, · · · , N, with f 0 = (f00 , f01 , · · · , f0N )⊥ ,



f − = H(f + ),
0 0

where σ1 (·, ·, ·) and κ1i (·, ·, ·, ·), i = 0, 1, · · · , N, are nonlinear functions of hf0 i with
Z Z
hf0 i(t) := f0 (t, x, v)dxdµ(v).
D V

As in Theorem 3.2 we shall establish, under appropriate conditions, that Problem (1.4) possesses


a unique local weak solution on Lp D × V, dxdµ(v) with 1 < p < +∞ and if the initial data f 0
belongs to D(AH ), then we have a unique local strong solution. Moreover, if conditions (A5) and
(A7) hold true, then the problem has a unique global strong solution. This solution is a global
weak solution whenever the initial data f 0 does not belong to the domain of AH . On the other


hand, if p = 1, then Problem (1.4) admits a unique local mild solution on L1 D × V, dxdµ(v) .
1640 ACTA MATHEMATICA SCIENTIA Vol.38 Ser.B

For the sake of completeness, in Section 6, we gather some facts from functional analysis
required in the proofs of Theorems 3.2 and 3.3.

2 Preliminaries
Let D be a smooth open subset of RN and let µ be a positive Radon measure on RN . We
denote by V the support of µ and we refer to V as the space of admissible velocities. We note
that the boundary of the phase space writes as ∂D × V := Γ− ∪ Γ+ ∪ Γ0 , where

Γ± = (x, v) ∈ ∂D × V : ±v.νx > 0 ,
and Γ0 = {(x, v) ∈ ∂D × V, v.νx = 0}. Here νx stands for the outer unit normal vector at
x ∈ ∂D. We will suppose througthout this paper that Γ0 is of zero measure with respect to
dγx dµ(v), dγx is the Lebesgue measure on ∂D. Let p ∈ [1, +∞) and denote by Xp the space
Xp := Lp (D × V, dx ⊗ dµ(v)).
We define the partial Sobolev space

Wp = f ∈ Xp such that v.∇x f ∈ Xp .
It is well known [6, 7, 12] that any function in Wp possesses traces f ± := f|Γ± on Γ± belonging
to L± p
p,loc (Γ± , |v.νx | dγx dµ(v)). Note that, in applications, suitable L -spaces for the traces are

L± p
p := L (Γ± , |v.νx | dγx dµ(v)).

So, we define the set n o

e p = f ∈ Wp , f − ∈ L− .
W p

It is well know that, if f ∈ Wp , 1 ≤ p < +∞ and f − ∈ L−

p , then f
+
∈ L+
p and vice versa
[6, 7, 12]. More precisely we have the identity
n o n o
e p = f ∈ Wp , f − ∈ L− = f ∈ Wp , f + ∈ L+ .
W p p

We say that an operator H is a boundary operator if

H(f + ) = f − , D(H) = L+
p and H(L+ −
p ) ⊆ Lp .

Let H ∈ L(L+ −
p , Lp ) be a positive boundary operator (the positivity is taken in the lattice
sense, that is H transforms the positive cone of L+ −
p into the positive cone of Lp ). Define the
free streaming operator TH

T : D(T ) ⊆ X −→ X ,
H H p p
 TH f (x, v) = −v.∇x f (x, v)

with domain n o
e p such that f − = H(f + ) .
D(TH ) = f ∈ W
Remark 2.1 The operator TH is usually called the free streaming operator. It is a closed
densely defined linear operator. Its resolvent set ρ(TH ) contains the half plane
n o
C+ = λ ∈ C such that Reλ > 0
(see, for example, [16]).
No.6 A. Al-Izeri & K. Latrach: ON AN EVOLUTION NEUTRON TRANSPORT EQUATION 1641

For i ∈ {1, 2, · · · , N }, let Λi denote the bounded multiplication operators from Xp into
itself defined by Λi fi = λi βi (x, v)fi and define the matrix operator
 
0 Λ1 Λ2 · · · ΛN
 
 
0 0 0 ··· 0 
Λ=. 
.. .. .. ..  .
 .. . . . . 
 
0 0 0 ··· 0
Since the functions βi (·, ·), i = 1, · · · , N, belong to L∞ (D × V), the operators Λi , i = 1, · · · , N
are bounded and therefore Λ is also bounded on XN p
+1
. Here XN
p
+1
denotes the product space
Xp × Xp × · · · × Xp (Xp taken N + 1 times) is equipped with the norm
N
X
|||f |||p = |||(f0 , · · · , fN )⊥ |||p = kfi kp .
i=0

Remark 2.2 Let us note that the boundedness of the operator Λ implies that it is a
Lipschitz operator with Lipschitz constant kΛk := kΛkL(XpN +1 ) .
We also define the matrix operator
 
T 0 0 ··· 0
 H 
 
 0 λ1 I 0 ··· 0 
AH =  .. .. .. .. ..


 . . . . . 
 
0 0 0 ··· λN I
with the domain D(AH ) given by D(AH ) = D(TH ) × XN
p .

Remark 2.3 It is well known that D(TH ) is dense in Xp , so AH is densely defined on

XN
p
+1
.
A general assumption Throughout this paper we shall assume that

kHk ≤ 1, |D| < ∞ and µ(V) < ∞,

where |D| denotes the Lebesgue measure of D.
Lemma 2.4 If p ∈ (1, +∞), then, for all f ∈ Xp , we have
  q1
kf k1 ≤ |D| µ(V) kf kp ,
where q denotes the conjugate exponent of p.
Proof It is an immediate consequence of Hölder’s inequality. 
Before going further, we shall first recall some facts from functional analysis required below.
Let (X, k · k) be a real Banach space. An operator A : D(A) ⊆ X → 2X is said to be
accretive if the inequality kx − y + λ(u − v)k ≥ kx − yk holds for all λ ≥ 0, x, y ∈ D(A) and
u ∈ Ax, v ∈ Ay. If, in addition, R(I + λA) (i.e., the range of the operator I + λA), is for
some, hence for all, λ > 0, precisely X, then A is called m-accretive. Accretive operators were
introduced by Browder [5] and Kato [15] independently.
An operator A is said to be quasi-accretive (quasi-m-accretive), if there exists w ∈ R such
that A+ wI is accretive (respectively m-accretive), in this case we say also that A is w-accretive
1642 ACTA MATHEMATICA SCIENTIA Vol.38 Ser.B

(w-m-accretive respectively). Notice that A is accretive if and only if A is quasi-accretive with

w = 0.
Let x ∈ X. We denote by [y, x]s the function defined from X × X into R by
n o
[y, x]s = sup x∗ (y) : x∗ ∈ J1 (x) ,
∗
where J1 (·) denote the duality map from X into 2X given by
n o
J1 (x) = x∗ ∈ X ∗ : hx∗ , xi = kxk and kx∗ k = 1 .
∗
We also define the duality map J from X into 2X by
n o
2
J(x) = x∗ ∈ X ∗ : hx∗ , xi = kxk and kx∗ k = kxk = kxk J1 (x).

Recall that, from the Hahn-Banach theorem, J1 (x) 6= ∅ and J(x) 6= ∅ for all x ∈ X. Further,
from the definitions, J1 (x) and J(x) are closely related. In particular, we have

J(x) = kxk J1 (x), ∀x ∈ X. (2.1)

In the following proposition, we give some important facts regarding accretive operators which
will be used in our paper (see, for example, [1]).
Proposition 2.5 Let A : D(A) → 2X be an operator on X. The following conditions are
equivalent:
(a) A is an ω-accretive operator;
(b) the inequality [u − v, x − y]s ≥ −ωkx − yk holds for every x, y ∈ D(A) and u ∈ Ax, v ∈
Ay;
(c) for each λ > 0 with λω < 1, the resolvent Jλ := (I + λA)−1 : R(I + λA) → D(A) is a
1
single-valued 1−ωλ -Lipschitzian mapping.
Finally, we recall that the function sgn0 (·) is defined by


1
 if r > 0,
sgn0 (r) = 0 if r = 0,



−1 if r < 0.
For completeness, we shall give in Annex some classical results related to the various concepts
of solutions considered in this paper.

3 Statement of Theorems
We first consider the following initial boundary value problem

 df
 0 (t, x, v) + v.∇x f0 (t, x, v) = −σ(x, v, f0 (t, x, v))


 dt

 Z XN



 + κ 0 (x, v, v ′
, f 0 (t, x, v ′
))dµ(v ′
) + λi βi (x, v)fi (t, x, v),

 V
Z i=1
dfi (3.1)


 (t, x, v) + λi fi (t, x, v) = κi (x, v, v ′ , f0 (t, x, v ′ ))dµ(v ′ ) (1 ≤ i ≤ N ),

 dt V

f (0, x, v) = f (x, v), i = 0, 1, · · · , N with f 0 = (f , f , · · · , f )⊥ ,

 i 0i 00 01 0N



f − = H(f + ),
0 0
No.6 A. Al-Izeri & K. Latrach: ON AN EVOLUTION NEUTRON TRANSPORT EQUATION 1643

where f 0 = (f01 , f01 , · · · , f0N )⊥ is the initial data , σ(·, ·, ·) and κ0 (·, ·, ·, ·) are nonlinear func-

tions of the density of neutron f0 and, for i ∈ 1, 2, · · · , N , κi (·, ·, ·, ·) is a nonlinear functions
of the density of the i-th group delayed neutron emitters.
We now introduce the following hypotheses:
(A1) We assume that 0 < λ1 < λ2 < · · · < λN and βi (x, v), i = 0, 1, · · · , N , are essentially
bounded. Further, there exists a real constant βe such that
0 ≤ βi (x, v) ≤ βe for i = 1, 2, · · · , N.
(A2) The function σ(·, ·, ·) is measurable and there exists a function ρ ∈ L∞ (D × V) such
that, for all f1 , f2 ∈ Xp , we have
|σ(x, v, f1 ) − σ(x, v, f2 )| ≤ |ρ(x, v)| |f1 − f2 | .
(A3) For each i ∈ {0, 1, · · · , N }, the function κi (·, ·, ·, ·) is measurable and there exists a
function ρi ∈ L∞ (D × V × V) such that, for all f1 , f2 ∈ Xp , we have
|κi (x, v, v ′ , f1 (x, v ′ )) − κi (x, v, v ′ , f2 (x, v ′ ))| ≤ |ρi (x, v, v ′ )| |f1 (x, v ′ ) − f2 (x, v ′ )| .
Set Z
Π0 (f0 ) = −σ(x, v, f0 (t, x, v)) + κ0 (x, v, v ′ , f0 (t, x, v ′ ))dµ(v ′ ),
V
Z
Πi (f0 ) = κi (x, v, v ′ , f0 (t, x, v ′ ))dµ(v ′ ), i = 1, 2, · · · , N.
V
So, for all f = (f0 , f1 , · · · , fN )⊥ ∈ XN
p
+1
, we can write
  
Π 0 0 ··· 0 f0
 0  
  
 Π1 0 0 ··· 0   f1 
Π(f ) = 
 .. .. .. ..
 
..   ..  .
 . . . . .  . 
  
ΠN 0 0 ··· 0 fN
With these assumptions, equation (3.1) can be formulated as

 ′
f (t) + AH f (t) = Λf (t) + Π(f (t)),

fi (0, x, v) = f0i (x, v), i = 0, 1, · · · , N (3.2)



with f 0 = (f00 , f01 , · · · , f0N )⊥ .
Remark 3.1 As indicated just before Remark 2.3, we have D(AH ) = D(TH ) × XpN . So,
the initial data f 0 = (f00 , f01 , · · · , f0N )⊥ belongs to D(AH ) if and only if f00 ∈ D(TH ).
Theorem 3.2 Let 1 ≤ p < ∞. If conditions (A1)–(A3) hold true and Π maps XN
p
+1
into
itself, then Problem (3.2) has a unique mild solution for all initial data f0 belonging to XN
p
+1
.
0
If 1 < p < ∞, it is a weak solution. Moreover, if f ∈ D(AH ), then it is a strong solution.
For the meaning of the concepts of mild solutions and weak solutions we refer to the Annex
at the end of the paper.
Next we shall consider the case where the functions σ1 (·, ·, ·) and κ1i (·, ·, ·, ·), i = 0, 1, · · · , N ,
depend on hf0 i, the total density of neutrons, that is,
Z Z
hf0 i(t) := f0 (t, x, v)dxdµ(v).
D V
1644 ACTA MATHEMATICA SCIENTIA Vol.38 Ser.B

Remember that the density of neutrons is a positive quantity. Hence we consider the following
problem

 df0

 (t, x, v) + v.∇x f0 (t, x, v) = −σ1 (x, v, hf0 i)f0

 dt

 Z XN



 + κ 1
(x, v, v ′
, hf 0 i)f 0 (t, x, v ′
)dµ(v ′
) + λi βi (x, v)fi (t, x, v),

 0
V
Z i=1
dfi (3.3)


 (t, x, v) + λi fi (t, x, v) = κ1i (x, v, v ′ , hf0 i)f0 (t, x, v ′ )dµ(v ′ ) (1 ≤ i ≤ N ),

 dt V



 f i (0, x, v) = f 0i (x, v), i = 0, 1, · · · , N with f 0 = (f00 , f01 , · · · , f0N )⊥ ,



f − = H(f + ),
0 0

where f 0 = (f01 , f01 , · · · , f0N )⊥ stands for the initial data. Before going further, we introduce
the following hypotheses.
(A4) The function σ1 (·, ·, ·) is measurable and, for any r > 0, there exists Λr > 0 such that

|σ1 (x, v, z1 ) − σ1 (x, v, z2 )| ≤ Λr |z1 − z2 |

for all (x, v) ∈ D × V and z1 , z2 ∈ [−r, r].

(A5) There exist two constants σ 1 ∈ R and σ 1 > 0 such that

σ 1 ≤ σ1 (x, v, z) ≤ σ 1 , ∀(x, v, z) ∈ D × V × R.

(A6) The functions κ1i (·, ·, ·, ·), i = 0, · · ·, N are measurable and satisfy
 1 
κ (x, v, v ′ , z1 ) − κ1 (x, v, v ′ , z2 ) ≤ |ρi (x, v, v ′ )| |z1 − z2 | ,
i i

∞
where z1 , z2 ∈ [−r, r] and
n ρi ∈ L (Do × V × V).
(A7) For each i ∈ 0, 1, · · · , N , there exist two constants κ1i ∈ R and κ1i > 0 such that

κ1i ≤ κ1i (x, v, v ′ , z) ≤ κ1i for all (x, v, v ′ , z) ∈ D × V × V × R.

Next, define the operators

Z
Π10 (f0 ) = −σ1 (x, v, hf0 i)f0 + κ10 (x, v, v ′ , hf0 i)f0 (t, x, v ′ )dµ(v ′ ),
V
Z
Π1i (f0 ) = κ1i (x, v, v ′ , hf0 i)f0 (t, x, v ′ )dµ(v ′ ), i = 1, 2, · · · , N
V

and consider the operator Π1 : XpN +1 → XpN +1 defined by

  
Π1 0 0 ··· 0 f0
 0  
 1  
 Π1 0 0 ··· 0   f1 
XN +1
∋ f = (f , f , · · · , f ) →
7 Π1
(f ) =   
p 0 1 N  .. .. .. .. ..   ..  .
 . . . . .  . 
  
Π1N 0 0 ··· 0 fN
Accordingly, the nonlinear Cauchy problem (3.3) writes in the following abstract form

 ′ 1
f (t) + AH f (t) = Λf (t) + Π (f (t)),

fi (0, x, v) = f0i (x, v), i = 0, 1, · · · , N (3.4)


 0 ⊥
with f = (f00 , f01 , · · · , f0N ) .
No.6 A. Al-Izeri & K. Latrach: ON AN EVOLUTION NEUTRON TRANSPORT EQUATION 1645

For each r > 0, set


Brp := f ∈ XN
p
+1
: |||f |||p ≤ r .

Theorem 3.3 Let r > 0 and assume that assumptions (A1), (A4)–(A7) are satisfied.
Then the following items hold true.
(i) If p ∈ (1, +∞), then, for each f 0 ∈ Xp , problem (3.4) has a local weak solution. If
the initial data f 0 belongs to D(AH ), then it has a local strong solution. Further, problem
(3.4) has a unique global strong solution if f 0 ∈ D(AH ) and a unique global weak solution if
f0 ∈/ D(AH ).
(ii) If p = 1, then, for each f 0 ∈ Xp , problem (3.4) has a local mild solution.
For the meaning of the concept of strong solutions we refer to the Annex at the end of the
paper.

4 Some Lemmas
The goal of this section is to establish some auxiliary results required in the proofs of
Theorems 3.2 and 3.3.
Lemma 4.1 The operator AH is m-accretive on XN
p
+1
.
Proof We first prove that AH is accretive on XN p
+1
. Indeed, let g1 , g2 ∈ D(AH ) and let
f = (f0 , · · · , fN ) ∈ J1 (g1 − g2 ). If write g1 − g2 = (g1 − g20 , g11 − g21 , · · · , g1N − g2N ), then, for
0
1−p  i 
i = 0, · · · , N , we have fi = g1i − g2i g1 − g2i p−1 sgn0 (g1i − g2i ). So, we can write
p

[AH (g1 ) − AH (g2 ), f ]s

Z Z  
0
0 1−p
 0 

≥ g1 − g2 p g1 − g20 p−1 v.∇x (g10 − g20 )(x, v) sgn0 (g10 − g20 )dxdµ(v)
D V
Z Z  
1 1−p  1 
+λ1 g − g 1 g − g 1 p−1 (g 1 − g 1 )(x, v) sgn0 (g 1 − g 1 )dxdµ(v)
1 2 p 1 2 1 2 1 2
D V
..
. Z Z
1  1   
1 1−p gN − gN1 p−1
+λN gN − gN p (g11 − g21 )(x, v) sgn0 (g11 − g21 )dxdµ(v)
Z Z D V 
0 1−p 1  p 
= g1 − g2 p
0
v.∇x (g10 − g20 )(x, v) dxdµ(v)
p D V
Z Z 
1−p  1  
+λ1 g11 − g21 p (g − g 1 )(x, v)p dxdµ(v)
1 2
D V
..
. Z Z 
1−p  N  
+λN g1N − g2N p (g1 − g1N )(x, v)p dxdµ(v).
D V
Using Green’s formula, the right-hand side of the last equation is greater or equal to
0 Z  
Z
 0  
g1 − g20 1−p 1 (g10 − g20 )(x, v)p v.νx dγx dµ(v) − (g1 − g20 )(x, v)p v.νx dγx dµ(v)
p p Γ+ −
1 2 N Γ
1 2
+λ1 g1 − g2 p + λ2 g1 − g2 p + · · · + λN g1 − g2 p N

1−p 1  0 
= g10 − g20 p (g1 − g20 )+ p p,+ − (g10 − g20 )− p p,−
p L L
1646 ACTA MATHEMATICA SCIENTIA Vol.38 Ser.B

+λ1 g11 − g21 p + λ2 g12 − g22 p + · · · + λN g1N − g2N p
1−p 1  0 
= g10 − g20 p (g − g 0 )+ p p,+ − H(g 0 − g 0 )+ p p,+
1 2 L 1 2 L
p
1 2 N
+λ1 g1 − g2 p + λ2 g1 − g2 p + · · · + λN g1 − g2 p
1 2 N

1−p 1  p p 
≥ g01 − g02 p (1 − kHk ) (g01 − g02 )+ Lp,+
p

+λ1 g11 − g21 p + λ2 g12 − g22 p + · · · + λN g1N − g2N p ≥ 0.

Here we used the assumption that kHk ≤ 1. This proves that AH is accretive on XN
p
+1
.
To complete the proof, it suffices to establish that R(I + AH ) = XN p
+1
, where R(I + AH )
denotes the range of the operator I + AH . Indeed, let (h0 , h1 , · · · , hN ) be an element of XN
p
+1
,
we seek for an element (f0 , f1 , · · · , fN ) ∈ D(AH ) such that
    
I + TH 0 0 ··· 0 f0 h0
    
    
 0 I + λ1 I 0 · · · 0   f 1   h1 
  = 
 .. .. .. . . ..   ..   .. 
 . . . . .  .   . 
    
0 0 0 · · · I + λN I fN hN
or equivalently, we look for a solution of the following system

f + T f = h ,
0 H 0 0
(4.1)
fi + λi fi = hi (i = 1, · · · , N ).

hi
It is clear that, for i = 1, · · · , N , we have fi = 1+λi , i = 1, · · · , N . Hence, it remains to solve
the equation
f0 (x, v) + v.∇x f0 (x, v) = h0 (x, v). (4.2)

According to Remark 2.1, equation (4.2) has a unique solution because 1 ∈ ρ(TH ). This yields
that R(I + AH ) = XN
p
+1
and completes the proof. 
Lemma 4.2 If the hypotheses (A2), (A3) hold true and Π maps XN
p
+1
into itself, then
there exists a constant C > 0 such that, for all g, h ∈ XN
p
+1
, we have

|||Π(g) − Π(h)|||p ≤ C|||g − h|||p . (4.3)

Proof Since, for all g = (g0 , · · · , gN ) and h = (h0 , · · · , hN ) in XN

p
+1
, we have
N
X
|||Π(g) − Π(h)|||p = kΠi (g0 ) − Πi (h0 )kp , (4.4)
i=0

it suffices to prove that, for each i ∈ {0, 1, · · · , N }, Πi is a Lipschitz operator on Xp . Let f1 and
f2 be two elements of Xp . Using assumptions (A2) and (A3) together with Hölder’s inequality
and the fact that µ(V) < ∞, we get

|Π0 (f1 ) − Π0 (f2 )| ≤ |σ(x, v, f1 (x, v)) − σ(x, v, f2 (x, v))|

Z
+ |κ0 (x, v, v ′ , f1 (x, v)) − κ0 (x, v, v ′ , f2 (x, v ′ ))| dµ(v ′ )
V
Z
≤ kρk∞ |f1 (x, v) − f2 (x, v)| + kρ0 k∞ |f1 (x, v ′ ) − f2 (x, v ′ )| dµ(v ′ )
V
No.6 A. Al-Izeri & K. Latrach: ON AN EVOLUTION NEUTRON TRANSPORT EQUATION 1647
1
≤ kρk∞ |f1 (x, v) − f2 (x, v)| + kρ0 k∞ µ(V) q
Z  p1
p
· |f1 (x, v ′ ) − f2 (x, v ′ )| dµ(v ′ ) .
V

Next, simple calculations using the estimate (|a + b|)p ≤ 2p (ap + bp ) lead to
Z Z
p
|Π0 (f1 )(x, v) − Π0 (f2 )(x, v)| dxdµ(v)
D V
Z Z
≤ 2 kρkp∞
p
|f1 (x, v) − f2 (x, v)|p dxdµ(v)
D V
Z Z Z
p p
p p
+2 kρ0 k∞ µ(V) q |f1 (x, v ′ ) − f2 (x, v ′ )| dxdµ(v ′ )dµ(v)
D V V
p
p p p p
≤ 2 kρk∞ kf1 − f2 kp + 2p kρ0 k∞ µ(V) q +1
p
kf1 − f2 kp


≤ 2p kρkp∞ + kρ0 kp∞ µ(V)p kf1 − f2 kpp .

Accordingly,
p p
p1
kΠ0 (f1 ) − Π0 (f2 )kp ≤ 2 kρk∞ + kρ0 k∞ µ(V)p kf1 − f2 kp .

On the other hand, for each i ∈ {1, · · · , N } and for all f1 , f2 ∈ Xp , we have
Z
|Πi (f1 ) − Πi (f2 )| ≤ |ρi (x, v, v ′ )| |f1 (x, v ′ ) − f2 (x, v ′ )| dµ(v ′ )
V
Z  p1
1 p
≤ kρi k∞ µ(V) q |f1 (x, v ′ ) − f2 (x, v ′ )| dµ(v ′ ) ,
V

and therefore
kΠi (f1 ) − Πi (f2 )kp ≤ kρi k∞ µ(V)1/q kf1 − f2 kp .

Hence, we obtain

2 kρkp + kρ kp µ(V)p
p1 kg − h k , if j = 0,
∞ 0 ∞ 0 0 p
kΠj (g0 ) − Πj (h0 )kp ≤ (4.5)
kρj k µ(V) kg0 − h0 k if j = 1, 2, · · · , N.
∞ p

Now using estimates (4.4), (4.5) and the fact that kg0 − h0 kp ≤ |||g − h|||p , we get

|||Π(g) − Π(h)|||p ≤ C|||g − h|||p ,

where
N
X
p p
1/p
C = 2 kρk∞ + kρ0 k∞ µ(V)p + kρi k∞ µ(V).
i=1

This proves the lemma. 

Lemma 4.3 Let r > 0 and p ∈ [1, +∞). If conditions (A4)–(A7) hold true, then there
exists a constant Cr > 0 such that

|||Π1 (g) − Π1 (h)|||p ≤ Cr |||g − h|||p

for all g, h ∈ Brp .

Proof For all g = (g0 , · · · , gN ) and h = (h0 , · · · , hN ) in Brp , we have
N
X 1
|||Π1 (g) − Π1 (h)|||p = Πi (g0 ) − Π1i (h0 ) . (4.6)
p
i=0
1648 ACTA MATHEMATICA SCIENTIA Vol.38 Ser.B

As in proof of the previous lemma we have only to prove that, for each i ∈ {0, 1, · · · , N }, Π1i
is Lipschitz operator on Xp . Let f1 and f2 be two elements of Xp . Using (A4)–(A7) and the
p p
estimate (|a + b|)p ≤ 2p (|a| + |b| ), we get
 1 
Π0 (f1 ) − Π10 (f2 )p ≤ 2p |σ1 (x, v, hf1 i)(f1 − f2 ) + (σ1 (x, v, hf1 i) − σ1 (x, v, hf2 i))f2 |p
Z  
+2p κ10 (x, v, v ′ , hf1 i)(f1 − f2 ) + (κ10 (x, v, v ′ , hf1 i)
V
p
−κ0 (x, v, v ′ , hf2 i))f2 dµ(v ′
1

 
≤ 2p 2p |σ1 (x, v, hf1 i)(f1 − f2 )|p + 2p |(σ1 (x, v, hf1 i) − σ1 (x, v, hf2 i))f2 |p
 Z 
 p
+2 2p
p κ10 x, v, v ′ , hf1 i (f1 − f2 ) dµ(v ′ )
V
Z   p 
+2 p (κ10 (x, v, v ′ , hf1 i) − κ10 (x, v, v ′ , hf2 i))f2  dµ(v ′ )
 V 
p p p
≤ 2 σ p1 |f1 − f2 | + Λpr |hf1 i − hf2 i| |f2 |
2p

Z p
2p 1 p
+2 (κ0 ) |f1 (x, v ′ ) − f2 (x, v ′ )| dµ(v ′ )
V
Z p
2p p
+2 kρ0 k∞ |hf1 i − hf2 i| |f2 (x, v ′ )| dµ(v ′ ) .
V
Now the use of Lemma 2.4 together with the assumption µ(V) < +∞ gives

1
|hf1 i − hf2 i| ≤ kf1 − f2 k1 ≤ |D| µ(V) q kf1 − f2 kp . (4.7)

It follows from estimate (4.7) and the Hölder inequality that

 1  
p 
Π0 (f1 ) − Π10 (f2 )p ≤ 22p σ p |f1 − f2 |p + Λpr |D| µ(V) q kf1 − f2 kp |f2 |p
1 p
Z  pq Z
p
+22p (κ10 )p dµ(v ′ ) |f1 (x, v ′ ) − f2 (x, v ′ )| dµ(v ′ )
V V

p Z  pq Z
p p p
+22p kρ0 k∞ |D| µ(V) q kf1 − f2 kp dµ(v ′ ) |f2 (x, v ′ )| dµ(v ′ )
V V

p 
≤ 22p σ p1 |f1 − f2 |p + Λpr |D| µ(V) q kf1 − f2 kpp |f2 |p
Z
p p
+22p (κ10 )p µ(V) q |f1 (x, v ′ ) − f2 (x, v ′ )| dµ(v ′ )
V
Z
2p p
pq p
p p
+2 kρ0 k∞ |D| µ(V) µ(V) kf1 − f2 kp q |f2 (x, v ′ )| dµ(v ′ ).
V
Next, integrating over D × V, one sees that
Z Z
 1 
Π0 (f1 )(x, v ′ ) − Π10 (f2 )(x, v ′ )p dxdµ(v)
D V
Z Z
2p p p
≤ 2 σ1 |f1 (x, v) − f2 (x, v)| dxdµ(v)
D V
Z Z
2p p

p p p
+2 Λr |D| µ(V) q kf1 − f2 kp |f2 (x, v)| dxdµ(v)
D V
Z Z Z 
p p
2p 1 p
+2 (κ0 ) µ(V) q |f1 (x, v ′ ) − f2 (x, v ′ )| dµ(v ′ ) dxdµ(v)
D V V
Z Z Z 

pq p p
+2 kρ0 k∞ |D| µ(V) µ(V ) q kf1 − f2 kpp
2p p
|f2 (x, v ′ )| dµ(v ′ ) dxdµ(v)
D V V
No.6 A. Al-Izeri & K. Latrach: ON AN EVOLUTION NEUTRON TRANSPORT EQUATION 1649

p
p p p
≤ 22p σ p1 kf1 − f2 kp + 22p Λpr |D| µ(V) q kf1 − f2 kp kf2 kp
p
p p
p p p
+22p (κ10 )p µ(V) q +1 kf1 − f2 kp + 22p kρ0 k∞ |D| µ(V) q µ(V)p kf1 − f2 kp kf2 kp .

Using the fact that f2 belongs to the ball Brp (in fact, writing f2 as (0, 0, f2 , 0, · · · , 0), it may
be viewed as a function of Brp with |||(0, 0, f2 , 0, · · · , 0)|||p = kf2 kp ), we get
Z Z
 1 
Π (f1 )(x, v ′ ) − Π1 (f2 )(x, v ′ )p dxdµ(v)
0 0
D V
 
≤ 22p σ p1 + rp Λpr |D|p−1 µ(V)p−1 + (κ10 )p µ(V)p + rp kρ0 kp∞ |D|p−1 µ(V)2p−1 kf1 − f2 kpp .

This yields that

1
Π (f1 ) − Π1 (f2 ) ≤ ζ 0 kf1 − f2 k , (4.8)
0 0 p r p
  p1
p−1 p p−1
where ζr0 := 4 σ p1 + rp Λpr |D| µ(V)p−1 + (κ10 )p µ(V)p + rp kρ0 k∞ |D| µ(V)2p−1 .
Similarly, for i ∈ {1, · · · , N }, the same calculations as above give
1
Πi (f1 ) − Π1i (f2 ) ≤ ζri kf1 − f2 k , (4.9)
p p

p−1  p1
p
where ζri = 2µ(V) (κ1i )p + rp kρi k∞ |D| µ(V) .
Now, it follows from estimates (4.8), (4.9) and the fact that kg0 − h0 kp ≤ |||g − h|||p , we
infer that, for all j ∈ {0, 1, · · · , N }, we have
1
Πj (g0 ) − Π1j (h0 ) ≤ ζrj |||g − h|||p . (4.10)
p

Accordingly, the use of (4.6), gives

|||Π1 (g) − Π1 (h)|||p ≤ Cr |||g − h|||p ,

P
N
where Cr = ζr0 + ζri . This completes the proof. 
i=1
Let us now recall the definition of radical retraction mappings. Let Z be a Banach space
and r > 0. We define the radial retraction Rr of Z into Br (the ball of Z centered at the origin
with radius r) by 
 z if kzk ≤ r,
Rr (z) = r
 z if kzk ≥ r
kzk
for all z ∈ Z. We recall also the following useful estimate (see [8] or [1, Chapter 4])

kRr (z1 ) − Rr (z2 )k ≤ 2 kz1 − z2 k for all z1 , z2 ∈ Z. (4.11)

5 Proofs
Proof of Theorem 3.2 It follows from Lemma 4.1 and Remark 2.3 that the operator
AH is m-accretive on XN
p
+1
. Further, Remark 2.2 together with Lemmas 4.2 shows that Λ + Π
is (kΛk + C)-Lipschitz on XN
p
+1
and therefore the operator AH − (Λ + Π) is quasi-m-accretive
N +1
on Xp . Applying Corollary 4.1 in [1], we conclude that Problem (3.2) has a unique mild
solution. Moreover, since the spaces Xp , 1 < p < ∞, are Banach spaces with the Radon-
Nikodym property, applying Theorem 6.3 we infer that it is a weak solution on XN
p
+1
. Next, if
1650 ACTA MATHEMATICA SCIENTIA Vol.38 Ser.B

f 0 ∈ D(AH ) = D(AH − (Λ + Π)), then applying Theorem 6.1 we infer that this solution is a
strong solution. 
Proof of Theorem 3.3 (i) Let p ∈ (1, +∞). We first note that, according to Remark
2.2 and Lemma 4.3, the operator Λ + Π1 is locally Lipschitzian on XN
p
+1
. Since the operator
AH is m-accretive on XN p
+1
(use Lemma 4.1) and the spaces Xp possess the Radon-Nikodym
property, it follows from Theorem 6.2 that Problem 3.4 has a unique local strong solution
f ∈ XN
p
+1
whenever f 0 belongs to D(AH ).
Next, assume that f 0 does not belong to D(AH ). Since D(AH ) is dense in XN
p
+1
(cf.
Remark 2.3), there exists a sequence (fn )n∈N contained in D(AH ) such that fn → f 0 . Set
M := sup{kfn kp : n = 0, 1, · · · }. A similar proof to that of Theorem 6.2 allows us to deduce
the existence of a real TM > 0 such that , for each n ∈ N, the problem

f ′ (t) + A f (t) = Λf (t) + Π1 (f (t)),
H
f (0) = fn ∈ XN +1
p

possesses a unique strong solution, say gn , on the interval (0, TM ). To prove the existence of
a local weak solution, we have only to check that (gn )n∈N is a Cauchy sequence in the Banach
space C(0, TM ; XN
p
+1
). This follows immediately from (6.3).
Existence of a unique global strong solution to problem (3.4). Let f = (f0 , f1 , f2 , · · · , fN ) ∈
XN
p
+1
and let g ∈ J(f ). According to the definition of J(·) and the relation (2.1), if we write
1−p p−1
g = (g0 , g1 , · · · , g N ), then, for i = 0, · · · , N , we have gi = |||f |||p kfi kp |fi | sgn0 (fi ). We
note that
N
X N
X


−(Π1 + Λ)(f ), g = − hΠ1i fi , gi i − hΛi fi , g0 i. (5.1)
i=0 i=1

We recall that, for i = 1, · · · , N , Λi is a bounded operator on Xp and, by (A1), kΛi fi k ≤

λi kβi k∞ kfi k ≤ λi βe kfi k. Using the fact that kg0 kq = |||f |||p , we infer that hΛi fi , g0 i ≤
λi βe kfi k |||f |||p . Using hypothesis (A1), we conclude that
N
X h i
− e |||p kf1 k + kf2 k + · · · + kfN k ≥ −λN β|||f
hΛi fi , g0 i ≥ −λN β|||f e |||2
p
i=1

and therefore
N
X
− e |||2 .
hΛi fi , g0 i ≥ −λN β|||f (5.2)
p
i=1

Next recall that the operator Π10 is defined by

Z
Π10 (f0 ) = −σ1 (x, v, hf0 i)f0 + κ10 (x, v, v ′ , hf0 i)f0 (t, x, v ′ )dµ(v ′ ).
V
With the help of assumption (A5), it is not difficult to see that

|hσ1 (x, v, hf0 i)f0 , g0 i| ≤ σ 1 hf0 , g0 i = σ 1 kf0 k |||f |||p

≤ σ 1 |||f |||2p

and therefore

hσ1 (x, v, hf0 i)f0 , g0 i ≥ −σ 1 |||f |||2p . (5.3)

No.6 A. Al-Izeri & K. Latrach: ON AN EVOLUTION NEUTRON TRANSPORT EQUATION 1651
R
Putting B0 (f (x, v)) := V κ10 (x, v, v ′ , hf0 i)f0 (t, x, v ′ )dµ(v ′ ) and using assumption (A7), we get
Z
 1 
|B0 (f0 (x, v))| ≤ (κ (x, v, v ′ , hf0 i) |f0 (t, x, v ′ )| dµ(v ′ )
0
V
Z
≤ κ0 |f0 (t, x, v ′ )| dµ(v ′ )
V
Z  p1
1 p
≤ κ0 µ(V) q |f0 (t, x, v ′ )| dµ(v ′ ) .
V

Accordingly

kB0 f0 kp ≤ κ0 µ(V) kf0 kp ≤ κ0 µ(V)|||f |||p . (5.4)

Since the operators Π1i have the same structure as B0 , similar calculations as above give
1
Πi f0 ≤ κi µ(V) |||f |||p for i = 1, · · · , N. (5.5)
p

Next, using equations (5.4) and (5.5), we get

hB0 f0 , g0 i ≤ kB0 f0 kp kg0 k ≤ κ0 µ(V) |||f |||2p (5.6)

and, for i = 1, · · · , N ,

hΠ1i f0 , gi i ≤ Π1i f0 p kgi k ≤ κi µ(V) |||f |||2p . (5.7)

Finally, taking into account of equations (5.1), (5.2), (5.3), (5.6) and (5.7), we conclude that
X N 


1 e 2
−(Π + Λ)(f ), g ≥ (−λN β − σ 1 )|||f |||p − µ(V) κi |||f |||2p .
i=0

Thus we have proved that


−(Π1 + Λ)(f ), g ≥ −γ|||f |||2p ,
P
N 
where γ = λN βe + σ 1 + µ(V) κi .
i=0
Now applying Theorem 6.2, we conclude that f is a global strong solution.
(ii) By hypothesis f 0 ∈ XN
1
+1
. Let r > 1 be a real such that |||f 0 |||1 < r − 1 and consider
the radial retraction mapping of XN
1
+1
on the ball Br . It is given by

 g if |||g|||1 ≤ r,
R(g) = r
 g if |||g|||1 > r.
|||g|||1
We know from Lemma 4.1 that AH is m-accretive. So, using Remark 2.2, Lemma 4.3 together
with equation (4.11), we conclude that Λ(R(·)) + Π1 (R(·)) is 2(kΛk + Cr )-Lipschitz on XN
1
+1
.
Consequently, the operator AH − Λ(R(·)) − Π1 (R(·)) is 2(CΛ + Cr )-m-accretive on XN
1
+1
. Now
applying Corollary 4.1 in [1], we infer that the evolution problem

f ′ (t) + A (f (t)) = Λ R(f (t))
+ Π1 R(f (t))
,
H
f0 (0) = f 0

has a unique mild solution f on XN

1
+1
.
1652 ACTA MATHEMATICA SCIENTIA Vol.38 Ser.B

Next, using the fact that D(AH ) is dense in XN

1
+1
, we can choose h0 ∈ D(AH ) such that
0
h − f 0 ≤ 1/2. It is clear that h0 ∈ Br1 . Set
1

η 0 = AH (h0 ) − Λ(R(h0 )) − Π1 (R(h0 )) = AH (h0 ) − Λ(h0 ) − Π1 (h0 ).

Now, putting ω := 2(kΛk + Cr ) and applying (6.2), we obtain

Z t
|||f (t) − h0 |||1 ≤ eω t |||h0 − f 0 |||1 + eω(t−s) [−η 0 , f (s) − h0 ]s ds
0
 1

ωt
≤e 0 0
|||h − f |||1 + |||η0 |||1 1 − eω t ,
ω
and therefore
|||f (t)|||1 ≤ |||h0 |||1 +1 < r
for 0 ≤ t ≤ Tr , where Tr > 0 is suitably chosen. This shows that f (·) is a mild solution to
Problem (3.4) in the interval [0, Tr ] which ends the proof. 

6 Annex
Consider the Cauchy problem

 u′ (t) + A(u(t)) ∋ f (t), t ∈ (0, T ),
(6.1)
 u(0) = x0 ∈ D(A),

where A is quasi-m-accretive on X and f ∈ L1 (0, T, X).

Given ǫ > 0. An ǫ-discretization on [0, T ] of the equation u′ (t) + A(u(t)) ∋ f (t) consists of
a partition 0 = t0 ≤ t1 ≤ t2 ≤ · · · ≤ tN of the interval [0, tN ] and a finite sequence (fi )N
i=1 ⊆ X
such that
ti − ti−1 < ǫ for i = 1, · · · , N, T − ǫ < tN ≤ T,
XN Z ti
kf (s) − fi kds < ǫ.
i=1 ti−1
ǫ
A DA (0 = t0 ≤ t1 ≤ t2 ≤ · · · ≤ tN ; f1 , · · · , fN ) solution to (6.1) is a piecewise constant function
z : [0, tN ] → X whose values zi on (ti−1 , ti ] satisfy the finite difference equation
zi − zi−1
+ A(zi ) ∋ fi , i = 1, 2, · · · , N.
ti − ti−1
Such a function z = (zi )N
i=1 is called an ǫ-approximate solution to the Cauchy problem (6.1) if
it further satisfies
kz(0) − x0 k ≤ ǫ.
It is well known (see [1, Corollary 4.1]) that (6.1) has a unique mild solution in the sense
that there exists a unique continuous function u : [0, T ] → D(A) such that u(0) = x0 , and
moreover, for each ǫ > 0 there is an ǫ-approximate solution z of u′ + A(u) ∋ f on [0, T ] such
that ku(t) − z(t)k ≤ ǫ for all t ∈ [0, T ] with u(0) = x0 .
If u is the mild solution of Problem (6.1), then for each (x, y) ∈ A and 0 ≤ s ≤ t ≤ T, we
have Z t
ku(t) − xk ≤ ew(t−s) ku(s) − xk + ew(t−τ ) [f (τ ) − y, u(τ ) − x]s dτ. (6.2)
s
No.6 A. Al-Izeri & K. Latrach: ON AN EVOLUTION NEUTRON TRANSPORT EQUATION 1653

This means that u is an integral solution to equation (6.1) in the sense of Ph. Bénilan [3] and
moreover both concepts of solution coincide under our context.
If u, v are integral solutions of u′ (t) + A(u(t)) ∋ f (t) and v ′ (t) + A(v(t)) ∋ g(t), respectively,
with f, g ∈ L1 (0, T, X), then
Z t
wt
ku(t) − v(t)k ≤ e ku(0) − v(0)k + ew(t−s) kf (s) − g(s)kds. (6.3)
0

A strong solution of problem (6.1) is a function u ∈ W 1,∞ (0, T ; X), i.e., u is locally abso-
lutely continuous and differentiable almost everywhere, and u′ (t) + A(u(t)) ∋ f (t) for almost
all t ∈ [0, T ].
Concerning the existence of strong solutions, the following theorem is known (see [1, The-
orem 4.5] or [4, p. 108]).
Theorem 6.1 If X is a Banach space with the Radon-Nikodym property, A : D(A) ⊆
X → 2X is a quasi-m-accretive operator, and f ∈ BV (0, T ; X), i.e., f is a function of bounded
variation on [0, T ], then Problem (6.1) has a unique strong solution whenever x0 ∈ D(A).
Our results rely on the following theorem.
Theorem 6.2 (see [1, p. 150]) Let X be a reflexive Banach space and let A be a quasi-
m-accretive operator in X. Let F : X → X be locally Lipschitz. Then, for each y0 ∈ D(A),
there is a local strong solution to the problem

 u′ (t) + Au(t) ∋ F (u(t)),
 u(0) = y0 .

Assume further that

2
h−F u, wi ≥ −α kuk + β, ∀(u, w) ∈ J.

Then, the solution is global.

On the other hand, we say that u ∈ C(0, T ; X) is a weak solution of problem (6.1) if
there are sequences (un ) ⊆ W 1,∞ (0, T ; X) and (fn ) ⊆ L1 (0, T ; X) satisfying the following four
conditions:
(1) u′n (t) + Aun (t) ∋ fn (t) for almost all t ∈ [0, T ], n = 1, 2, · · · ;
(2) lim kun − uk∞ = 0;
n→∞
(3) u(0) = x0 ;
(4) lim kfn − f k1 = 0.
n→∞
With respect to the existence of weak solutions, the following result, which is an easy
consequence of Theorem 6.1, is important.
Theorem 6.3 Let X be a Banach space with the Radon-Nikodym property. Then Prob-
lem (6.1) admits a unique weak solution which is the unique integral solution of this problem.
Remark 6.4 We conclude this Annex by pointing out that any m-accretive operator is
a quasi-m-accretive operator with ω = 0. So, the results stated above for quasi-m-accretive
operators with ω 6= 0 are also valid for m-accretive operators.
1654 ACTA MATHEMATICA SCIENTIA Vol.38 Ser.B

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