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# Regularity of minimizers for second order variational problems in one independent variable

• We consider autonomous, second order problems in the calculus of variations in one independent variable. For analogous first order problems it is known that, under standard hypotheses of existence theory and a local boundedness condition on the Lagrangian, minimizers over $W^{1,1}$ have bounded first derivatives ($W^{1,\infty}$ regularity prevails). For second order problems one might expect, by analogy, that minimizers would have bounded second derivatives ($W^{2,\infty}$ regularity) under the standard existence hypotheses $(HE)$ for second order problems, supplemented by a local boundedness condition. A counter-example, however, indicates that this is not the case. In earlier work, $W^{2, \infty}$ regularity has been established for these problems under $(HE)$ and additional 'integrability' hypotheses on derivatives of the Lagrangian, evaluated along the minimizer. We show that these additional hypotheses can be significantly reduced. The proof techniques employed depend on a combination of the application of a change of independent variable and of extensions to Tonelli regularity theory proved by Clarke and Vinter.
Mathematics Subject Classification: Primary: 49J10, 49J30; Secondary: 49J99.

 Citation:

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