Anisotropic Isoperimetric Problems and Related Topics

This book contains contributions from speakers at the Anisotropic Isoperimetric Problems & Related Topics conference in Rome, held from Sep 5 to 9, 2022.

The classic isoperimetric problem has fascinated mathematicians of all eras, starting from the ancient Greeks, due to its simple statement: what are the sets of a given volume with minimal perimeter? The problem is mathematically well understood, and it plays a crucial role in explaining physical phenomena such as soap bubble shapes.

Variations of the problem, including weighted counterparts with density dependencies, representing inhomogeneity and anisotropy of the medium, broaden its applicability, even in non-Euclidean environments, and they allow for descriptions, e.g., of crystal shapes.

At large, the perimeter's physical interpretation is that of an attractive force; hence, it also appears in describing systems of particles where a balance between attractive and repulsive forces appears. A prominent example is that of Gamow's liquid drop model for atomic nuclei, where protons are subject to the strong nuclear attractive force (represented by the perimeter) and the electromagnetic repulsive force (represented by a nonlocal term). Such a model has been shown to be sound, as it explains the basic characteristics of the nuclei, and it successfully predicts nuclear fission for nuclei with a large atomic number.

Similar energy functionals model various physical and biological systems, showcasing the competition between short-range interfacial and long-range nonlocal terms, leading to pattern formation. The authors mention, e.g., the OhtaKawasaki model for microphase separation of diblock copolymers and the Yukawa potential for colloidal systems. Despite diverse systems, the emergence of microphases follows similar patterns, although rigorously proving this phenomenon remains a challenge.

The book collects several contributions within these topics, shedding light on the current state of the art.