Sparse optimization problems in fractional order Sobolev spaces

Abstract

We consider optimization problems in the fractional order Sobolev spaces with sparsity promoting objective functionals containing $L^p$-pseudonorms, $p\in (0,1)$. Existence of solutions is proven. By means of a smoothing scheme, we obtain first-order optimality conditions, which contain an equation with the fractional Laplace operator. An algorithm based on this smoothing scheme is developed. Weak limit points of iterates are shown to satisfy a stationarity system that is slightly weaker than that given by the necessary condition.