Asymptotic analysis of transmission problems with parameter-dependent Robin conditions

Abstract: We study a transmission problem of {N}eumann--{R}obin type involving a parameter $α$ and perform an asymptotic analysis with respect to $α$. The limits $α\to 0$ and $α\to +\infty$ correspond respectively to complete decoupling and full unification of the problem, and we obtain rates of convergence for both regimes. Biologically, the model describes two cells connected by a gap junction with permeability $α$: the case $α\to 0$ corresponds to a situation where the gap junction is closed, leaving only tight junctions between the cells so that no substance exchange occurs, while $α\to +\infty$ corresponds to a situation that can be interpreted as the cells forming a single structure. We also clarify the relationship between the asymptotic analysis with respect to the parameter $α$ and the asymptotics of the system in connection with the convergence of convex functionals known as {M}osco convergence. Finally, we consider time-dependent permeability and analyze the case where $α$ blows up in finite time. Under suitable regularity assumptions, we show that the solution can be extended beyond the blow-up time, remaining in the single structure regime.