Blowup alternative for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation

For the mass-critical focusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation, let $u\in C([0,T_{+});H^1({\mathbb{R}}^d))$ be the maximal forward solution in the standard local $H^1$ theory. Either $T_{+}=\infty$, orBecause Mass conservation for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation fixes $\Vert u(t){\Vert }_2$, this is equivalent to divergence of $\Vert \nabla u(t){\Vert }_2$.

The proof uses a local existence time bounded below for data in a bounded H1 norm ball. If a sequence $t_n\uparrow T_{+}$ had uniformly bounded H1 norms, restart the equation at $t_n$ with that common time interval. Uniqueness joins the restarted solution to the old one and extends it beyond $T_{+}$, contradicting maximality.

The dependence of lifespan on the norm is a hypothesis of this argument. Other critical solution theories may use a spacetime control norm instead, so the stated H1 norm conclusion is attached here to the mass-critical equation and its $H^1$-subcritical local theory.^[ref]