Local well-posedness for the Boltzmann equation with hard potentials
Abstract
We consider the spatially inhomogeneous non-cutoff Boltzmann equation with hard potentials in the non-perturbative setting. For initial data with polynomial decay in the velocity variable, we establish the local-in-time existence and uniqueness of weak solutions, conditional to pointwise bounds on the hydrodynamic quantities (mass, energy, and entropy). Compared to the soft potential case, the key challenge for full-range hard potentials lies in the more severe loss of velocity moments. The proof combines a hypoelliptic estimate with interpolation inequalities to handle the moment-loss terms.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Gas Dynamics and Kinetic Theory
Navier-Stokes equation solutions
Advanced Mathematical Physics Problems
Publication details
- Journal / source
- arXiv (Cornell University)
- Publication date
- 22 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Preprint