Infinite Horizon Optimal Control Problems for a Class of Semilinear Parabolic Equations

Abstract: Infinite horizon open loop optimal control problems for semilinear parabolic equations are investigated. The controls are subject to a cost-functional which promotes sparsity in time. The focus is put on deriving first order optimality conditions. This is achieved without relying on a well-defined control-to-state mapping in a neighborhood of minimizers. The technique of proof is based on the approximation of the original problem by a family of finite horizon problems. The optimality conditions allow to deduce sparsity properties of the optimal controls in time.