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Uniqueness in law means that, for a fixed initial value, every two weak stochastic solutions of the stochastic differential equation have the same distribution as entire solution paths, even if their filtered probability spaces and driving Brownian motions differ. For an equation on $(0,\infty )$, initially consider the stopped path and lifetime at the boundary.

We first justify that the boundary cannot intervene when $\gamma \ge 2$. For any solution of the displayed Bessel equation, let ${\tau }_{\epsilon ,L}$ be its first exit from $(\epsilon ,L)$, where $0<\epsilon <r<L$. Applying Itô to $R^2$ givesThus the annulus exit has finite expectation and is almost surely finite. The one-dimensional generator is $\frac{1}{2}{\partial }_{rr}+\frac{\gamma -1}{2r}{\partial }_r$. Its harmonic scale functions are $\log r$ for $\gamma =2$ and $r^{2-\gamma }$ for $\gamma >2$, as direct differentiation verifies. They are bounded on the stopped annulus, so optional sampling givesBoth tend to zero as $\epsilon \downarrow 0$. A continuous path hitting zero before ${\tau }_L$ would hit every inner level first, so that event has probability zero. Exhausting the upper levels proves that zero is not hit at any finite time. Nor can an upper explosion occur: localization of $R^2$ gives $\mathbb{P}({\tau }_L\le t)\le (r^2+\gamma t)/L^2\to 0$. These are the Hitting-zero classification for a Bessel process arguments needed for the dimension-at-least-two case.

Now suppose $\gamma$ is an integer and take a $\gamma$-dimensional Brownian motion $U$ from any deterministic vector $u$ with $|u|=r$. For $\rho =|U|>0$, differentiation of the Euclidean norm givesDefine the radial noise $\beta ={\sum }_i\int U_i/\rho d{W}_i$, filling the integrand by a fixed unit vector on the zero set, as in part (b). It has bracket $t$ and is a Brownian motion. the Itô formula, initially before a possible zero, givesThe boundary argument just given makes this a global positive weak stochastic solution. The assumed uniqueness in law therefore identifies every solution's path law with that of $|U|$. Orthogonal invariance of Brownian motion makes this radial law independent of the selected point $u$ on the sphere. ConsequentlyThis proves equality of process laws, not merely equality of one-time marginal distributions.

A weak solution of a stochastic differential equation consists of a choice of probability space, filtration, driving Brownian motion and adapted solution with the specified initial law. The driving noise and the space are part of what may be chosen.

A strong solution of a stochastic differential equation is constructed for a prescribed Brownian motion and initial value, as a nonanticipating measurable functional of that data; for deterministic initial value it is adapted to the usual augmentation of the Brownian filtration. No further independent randomness is required.

Uniqueness in law means that any two weak solutions of a stochastic differential equation with the same initial distribution have the same law as solution processes. Pathwise uniqueness means that two solutions on the same filtered space, driven by the same Brownian motion and with the same initial value almost surely, are indistinguishable: $\mathbb{P}(X_t={\tilde{X}}_t\text{ for every }t)=1$. The latter concerns equality of paths on a common space, whereas uniqueness in law concerns equality of probability distributions.

Both coefficient functions are linear, hence globally Lipschitz. Their norms are bounded by a constant times $|(x,y)|$, so they satisfy the linear growth condition for an SDE. The existence and pathwise uniqueness theorem for a stochastic differential equation gives a unique global strong solution of a stochastic differential equation for every deterministic starting point $(x_0,y_0)\in {\mathbb{R}}^2$. Linear growth prevents finite-time explosion.

The theorem gives pathwise uniqueness, and strong existence with pathwise uniqueness gives uniqueness in law. Thus every initial value is permitted, and both forms of uniqueness hold. The coefficients need not be bounded for this theorem; their global Lipschitz and linear-growth properties are sufficient.

Uniqueness in law means that any two weak stochastic solutions with the same prescribed initial distribution have the same distribution as random elements of the continuous-path space. Their probability spaces and driving Brownian motions may differ.

Pathwise uniqueness means that if two solutions are defined on the same filtered probability space, driven by the same Brownian motion, and have the same initial variable almost surely, thenThis is indistinguishability of stochastic processes, a statement about coupled sample paths. It is stronger than requiring only equality of their distributions.

The reference Brownian motion must start at $x$, and both laws must use the same stopped-path rule. Under the reference probability measure let $R_s=x+W_s$, let $\tau$ be its exit time from $(a,b)$, and put $T=t\wedge \tau$ and $c=(\delta -1)/2$. The Girsanov density for a stopped Bessel process, as a functional of the stopped reference path, isUse the predictable process ${\theta }_s=c{R}_s^{-1}{1}_{\{s\le \tau \}}$, with any harmless choice at the endpoint. On $[0,t]$, $\int {\theta }_s^{2}ds\le c^{2}t/a^2$. The Novikov condition holds; under the density $D$, the Girsanov theorem makes ${\tilde{W}}_s=W_s-{\int }_0^s{\theta }_{u}du$ a Brownian motion. Before exit, $d{R}_s=c{R}_s^{-1}ds+d{\tilde{W}}_s$, which is the required stochastic differential equation. The drift is a locally Lipschitz function on $(0,\infty )$, so pathwise uniqueness and uniqueness in law hold up to this exit time.

For a version involving just the endpoint and an ordinary integral, the Itô formula for $\log R$ givesThusThe stopped density is measurable from the stopped path, so it is also the Radon-Nikodym derivative of the stopped-path laws. The stopping times in this formula are evaluated on the reference path, rather than taken from a different realization of $X$. A zero-start reference Brownian motion would have a different deterministic initial value and could not dominate this law.

A weak solution of a stochastic differential equation consists of a filtered probability space, an adapted continuous process $X$, and a Brownian motion $B$ relative to that filtration, with specified initial distribution, such that for every finite $t$ the coefficient integrals are finite andIn one dimension the integrability conditions are ${\int }_0^t\sigma (X_s{)}^{2}ds<\infty$ and ${\int }_0^t|b(X_s)|ds<\infty$. The noise integral is the Itô integral. A solution on a prescribed stochastic basis with prescribed $B$ is distinguished from this weak construction.

A strong solution of a stochastic differential equation uses the prescribed $B$ and initial variable, and is adapted to their augmented natural filtration; thus no additional randomness is needed. For deterministic $X_0=x$, each $X_t$ is determined by the driving Brownian motion through time $t$. Merely being adapted to a larger filtration is insufficient for this definition.

Uniqueness in law means that any two weak stochastic solutions with the same initial distribution have the same law of $X$ on continuous path space. Pathwise uniqueness means that two solutions on one stochastic basis, with the same $B$ and almost surely equal initial values, are indistinguishable stochastic processes. The latter compares paths under the same noise, rather than just comparing their probability distributions.

Fix $X_0=x$ and a finite horizon $T$. Begin under Wiener measure $\mathbb{P}$ with $X_t=x+W_t$, and let $K$ bound $|b|$. The bounded progressively measurable process $b(X)$ is an admissible Itô integral integrand. PutThe Novikov condition follows from ${\int }_0^{T}b(X_s{)}^{2}ds\le K^{2}T$. With $d\mathbb{Q}=Z_{T}d\mathbb{P}$, the Girsanov theorem says that $B=W-{\int }_0^{\cdot }b(X_s)ds$ is Brownian motion. Therefore a weak stochastic solution exists, sinceConsistent finite-horizon densities on canonical continuous path space give a solution for all finite times. No uniform integrability at infinite time is needed for this extension.

For uniqueness in law, take any weak stochastic solution under a measure $\mathbb{Q}$ and reverse the change of measure:Again the Novikov condition holds. Under $\mathbb{P}$, $W=B+\int b(X_s)ds=X-x$ is Brownian motion, so the law of $X$ is the fixed shifted Wiener measure. Substitution of $dB=dX-b(X)dt$ givesUnder shifted Wiener measure, the stochastic integral on the right has a fixed measurable version as a functional of the canonical path. It can be defined by simple predictable processes converging in the integrand $L^2$ norm and an almost surely convergent subsequence of their integrals. Equivalence of the two finite-horizon measures preserves that version. Thus for every bounded measurable path functional $F$,The right-hand side depends only on $b,x,T$, not on the chosen solution. This proves uniqueness in law on every finite horizon, and hence on the whole continuous path space. This is Weak existence and uniqueness in law for an additive-noise SDE with bounded drift. For merely measurable $b$, one should not assume that naive deterministic left-endpoint samples of $b(X)$ converge; the predictable $L^2$ approximation is the appropriate definition.

The Girsanov theorem construction proves a weak stochastic solution, but does not by itself establish a strong stochastic solution. It constructs $X=x+W$ first, and then constructs a new driving Brownian motion $B=W-\int b(X_s)ds$. Adaptation of $X$ to the original filtration of $W$ does not by itself prove adaptation to the smaller natural filtration of $B$. Inverting this relation requires an additional result; uniqueness in law alone is insufficient in general.

For the particular coefficients in part (b), however, the literal claim that a strong solution may fail is incorrect. The strong existence theorem for additive-noise SDEs with bounded measurable drift gives strong existence and pathwise uniqueness for bounded Borel state-dependent $b$ and unit diffusion. Consequently every weak realization here is determined by its driving noise and initial value. This theorem is deeper than the Girsanov theorem argument and no proof is needed here. Examples with path-dependent drift or with a nonconstant diffusion coefficient do not contradict it.

The valid distinction is therefore: the argument in part (b) has established weak existence and uniqueness in law; strong existence requires an additional theorem, and in this class that theorem is available. A primary reference for the correction is On strong solutions and explicit formulas for solutions of stochastic integral equations.

Specify an initial value or initial probability distribution. A strong solution of a stochastic differential equation uses a prescribed Brownian motion on a prescribed filtered probability space. It is continuous, adapted to the completed filtration generated by that Brownian motion and the initial value, and satisfiesalmost surely for every $t$, with ${\int }_0^t(|b(X_s)|+\sigma (X_s{)}^2)ds<\infty$ almost surely. The given initial variable is independent of future Brownian motion increments. Some courses allow a larger prescribed filtration in their definition of a strong solution of a stochastic differential equation; the Brownian-generated convention states explicitly what absence of extra randomness means.

A weak solution of a stochastic differential equation consists of a filtered probability space, a Brownian motion relative to its filtration, and a continuous adapted process $X$ satisfying the same integrability and integral equation. Here the space and noise are part of the unknown; the filtration may contain randomness beyond the initial variable and the driving path.

Pathwise uniqueness means that on any common filtered probability space, any two solutions with the same driving Brownian motion and the same initial value are indistinguishable. Uniqueness in law means that all weak solutions with the same initial probability distribution have the same law as path-valued random variables, even on different spaces. Pathwise uniqueness compares shared-noise paths; uniqueness in law compares path distributions. Neither uniqueness notion by itself asserts existence.

The Tanaka equation is an example:It has weak solutions and uniqueness in law, but lacks pathwise uniqueness. The value $s(0)=1$ is deliberate: using the sign function with value zero at zero would admit the identically zero solution and would change the example.

For a quick verification, take a Brownian motion $W$ and put $B=\int s(W)dW$. Its quadratic variation is $t$, so it is a Brownian motion by the Lévy characterization of Brownian motion, and associativity of stochastic integration gives $W=\int s(W)dB$. Every weak solution likewise has quadratic variation $t$ and therefore the law of Brownian motion. On this same enlarged filtration, both $W$ and $-W$ solve the equation driven by $B$: $s(-W)=-s(W)$ away from zero, and the Brownian zero set has zero time measure, so the discrepancy at zero contributes nothing to the Itô integral. These solutions differ with positive probability at any positive time. This proves the claimed distinction without relying on a choice of zero convention left unstated.

For an SDE driven by Brownian motion, a strong solution of a stochastic differential equation is adapted to the completed filtration generated by a prescribed Brownian motion and satisfies the equation on that space. A weak solution of a stochastic differential equation consists of a probability space, filtration, Brownian motion, and adapted solution satisfying the equation. Uniqueness in law means that any two weak solutions with the same initial law have the same law as processes. Pathwise uniqueness means that two solutions on the same filtered space, driven by the same Brownian motion and having the same initial value, are indistinguishable.

Write $Z_t={\int }_0^t{e}^{-B_s}d{\tilde{B}}_s$, so $X_t=e^{B_t}{Z}_t$. Independence gives $⟨B,\tilde{B}⟩=0$, and Itô formula yieldsThe martingale part has quadratic variation $(1+X_t^2)dt$, so on an enlarged description it equals $\sqrt{1+X_t^2}d{W}_t$. Thus $X$ is a weak solution ofOn the other hand, another application of Itô's formula givesBoth coefficients are Lipschitz continuous, so uniqueness in law gives $X$ and $Y$ the same law.

Work first under Wiener measure $P$ with coordinate Brownian motion $X$. Boundedness of $b$ implies the Novikov condition, sohas expectation one. Define $Q$ by $dQ=Z_{T}dP$. The Girsanov theorem makesa $Q$-Brownian motion, and hence $(X,W,Q)$ is a weak solution of a stochastic differential equation.

For uniqueness in law, start with any weak solution under $Q$ and apply the inverse change of measure with density $\mathcal{E}(-\int b(X_s)d{W}_s{)}_T$. Boundedness again gives the Novikov condition, and under the resulting measure $P$ the process $X$ is Brownian. Reversing the density expresses the law of $X$ under $Q$ as the same functional $Z_T$ of a Wiener path. It is therefore independent of the chosen weak solution. This proves the Weak existence and uniqueness in law for an additive-noise SDE with bounded drift.

Pathwise uniqueness means that two solutions on the same filtered probability space, driven by the same Brownian motion and having the same initial value almost surely, are indistinguishable. Uniqueness in law means that any two weak solutions with the same initial distribution induce the same probability law on path space.

If $X$ is a Bessel process of dimension $d$ started at $x$ and $r>0$, thenis a Bessel process of dimension $d$ started at $rx$. This follows from Brownian scaling in the stochastic differential equation and uniqueness in law.

For bounded Borel $b:{\mathbb{R}}^d\to {\mathbb{R}}^d$, the stochastic differential equation $d{X}_t=b(X_t)dt+d{B}_t$ has strong existence and pathwise uniqueness. The identity diffusion matrix is nondegenerate. A Girsanov theorem argument alone establishes weak existence and uniqueness in law; the strong conclusion requires an additional theorem. This statement does not extend without further hypotheses to arbitrary path-dependent drift or arbitrary diffusion matrices. See the primary bounded-drift strong-solution theorem.