Refined asymptotics for the Cauchy problem for the fast $p$-Laplace evolution equation

Abstract: Our focus is on the fast diffusion equation $\partial_t u=\Delta_p u$ with $p<2$ in the whole Euclidean space of dimension $N\geq 2$. The properties of the solutions to the $p$-Laplace Cauchy problem change in several special values of the parameter $p$. In the range of $p$ when mass is conserved, non-negative and integrable solutions behave like the Barenblatt (or fundamental) solutions for large times. By making use of the entropy method, we establish the polynomial rates of the convergence in the uniform relative error for a natural class of initial data. The convergence was established in the literature for $p$ close to $2$, but no rates were available. In particular, we allow for the values of $p$, for which the entropy is not displacement convex, as we do not apply the optimal transportation tools. We approach the issue of long-term asymptotics of the gradients of solutions. In fact, in the case of the radial initial datum, we provide also polynomial rates of the uniform convergence in the relative error of radial derivatives of solutions for $\frac{2N}{N+2}<p<2$. Finally, providing an analysis of needed properties of solutions for the entropy method to work, we open the question on the full description of the basin of attraction of the Bareblatt solutions for $p$ close to $1$.