Optimal derivative loss for abstract wave equations

Abstract

We consider an abstract wave equation with a propagation speed that depends only on time. We assume that the propagation speed is differentiable for positive times, continuous up to the origin, but with first derivative that is potentially singular at the origin. We examine the derivative loss of solutions, and in particular we investigate which conditions on the modulus of continuity and on the behavior of the derivative in the origin yield, respectively, no derivative loss, an arbitrarily small derivative loss, a finite derivative loss, or an infinite derivative loss. As expected, we obtain that stronger assumptions on the modulus of continuity can compensate weaker assumptions on the growth of the derivative, and viceversa. Suitable counterexamples show that our results are sharp. We prove indeed that, for every set of conditions, the class of propagation speeds that satisfy the given conditions, and for which the corresponding equation exhibits a derivative loss as large as possible, is nonempty and actually also residual in the sense of Baire category.