We investigate eigenfunctions of the Neumann Laplacian in a bounded domain Ω⊂R d, where a cuspidal singularity is caused by a cavity consisting of two touching balls, or discs in the planar case. We prove that the eigenfunctions with all of their derivatives are bounded in Ω‾, if the dimension d equals 2, but in dimension d≥3 their gradients have a strong singularity O(|x−O| −α), α∈(0,2−2] at the point of tangency O. Our study is based on dimension reduction and other asymptotic procedures, as well as the Kondratiev theory applied to the limit differential equation in the punctured hyperplane R d−1∖O. We also discuss other shapes producing thinning gaps between touching cavities.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1521-1549
Number of pages29
JournalJournal of Differential Equations
Volume264
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 5 Feb 2018

    Research areas

  • Asymptotic analysis, Boundary singularity, Eigenfunction, Kondratiev theory, Laplace–Neumann problem, Tangential balls

    Scopus subject areas

  • Analysis

ID: 35201383