Optimal control problems in spaces of functions of bounded variation

Abstract

We study optimal control problems governed by differential systems involving measures as controls and where the state vector is a function of bounded variation. Such problems are defined as extensions to $BV$-spaces of classical problems which do not admit solutions in the class of absolutely continuous functions. We give a definition of generalized solutions for differential systems with measures, for which we prove a stability result for the weak-star topology of measures. We next prove existence of $BV$-solutions for control problems. A relaxation theorem is given: the classical control problem defined for $AC$-functions and the control problem extended to $BV$-spaces have the same value and the solutions of extended problem are cluster points of minimizing sequences for the initial problem. We finally characterize $BV$-solutions of control problems by means of Lipschitz solutions of an auxiliary control problem.