Modified Wave Operators for a Scalar Quasilinear Wave Equation Satisfying the Weak Null Condition

Abstract

We prove the existence of the modified wave operators for a scalar quasilinear wave equation satisfying the weak null condition. This is accomplished in three steps. First, we derive a new reduced asymptotic system for the quasilinear wave equation by modifying Hörmander’s method. Next, we construct an approximate solution, by solving our new reduced system given some scattering data at infinite time. Finally, we prove that the quasilinear wave equation has a global solution which agrees with the approximate solution at infinite time.