On Weak Solutions to the Linear Boltzmann Equation with Inelastic Coulomb Collisions

Abstract

Abstract. This paper considers the time-and space-dependent linear Boltzmann equation with general boundary conditions in the case of inelastic (granular) collisions. First, in the (angular) cut-off case, mild L 1 -solutions are constructed as limits of the iterate functions and boundedness of higher velocity moments are discussed in the case of inverse power collisions forces. Then the problem of the weak solutions, as weak limit of a sequence of mild solutions, is studied for a bounded body, in the case of very soft interactions (including the Coulomb case). Furthermore, strong convergence of weak solutions to the equilibrium, when time goes to infinity, is discussed, using a generalized H-theorem, together with a translation continuity property.