Morawetz estimate for the defocusing wave equation Created 2026-09-28 Updated 2026-11-05
Let be a global sufficiently regular finite-energy solution of on , with , and let be its conserved nonnegative wave energy. Then the Morawetz estimate for the defocusing wave equation is
The constant depends on and the spatial dimension, not the upper endpoint of the time interval. A finite-time version holds on every interval of smooth existence. A global spacetime bound does not itself assert existence of a global solution.[ref]
Use the radial multiplier in the Morawetz identity for the defocusing wave equation. Its action is bounded by using the Hardy inequality in Euclidean space. The radial weight has nonnegative angular terms and ; the remaining nonlinear term has positive coefficient proportional to . Integration in time bounds its spacetime integral by endpoint actions, and monotone convergence gives the infinite-time statement. The estimate limits how long nonlinear wave energy can remain concentrated near a fixed location.
Set
Differentiate, substitute , and integrate every second derivative off . The mixed first-derivative terms cancel because of the correction . For radial and radial , the Hessian term is . The potential term uses . One obtains the Morawetz identity for the defocusing wave equation