In this paper we study the distributed optimal control for the Cahn-Hilliard system. A general class of free energy potentials is allowed which, in particular, includes the double-obstacle potential. The latter potential yields an optimal control problem of a parabolic variational inequality which is of fourth-order in space. We show the existence of optimal controls to approximating problems where the potential is replaced by a mollified version of its Moreau-Yosida approximation. Corresponding first order optimality conditions for the mollified problems are given. For this purpose a new result on the continuous Fr\'echet differentiability of superposition operators with values in Sobolev spaces is established. Besides the convergence of optimal controls of the mollified problems to an optimal control of the original problem, we also derive first order optimality conditions for the original problem by a limit process. The newly derived stationarity system corresponds to a function space version of C-stationarity.
This paper is concerned with the distributed optimal control of a
time-discrete Cahn--Hilliard/Navier--Stokes system with variable
densities.
It focuses on the double-obstacle potential which yields an optimal
control problem for a family of coupled systems in each time instance of a
variational inequality of fourth order and the Navier--Stokes equation.
By proposing a suitable time-discretization, energy estimates are proved
and the existence of solutions to the primal system and of optimal
controls is established for the original problem as well as for a family
of regularized problems. The latter correspond to Moreau--Yosida type
approximations of the double-obstacle potential. The consistency of these
approximations is shown and first order optimality conditions for the
regularized problems are derived. Through a limit process, a stationarity
system for the original problem is established which is related to a
function space version of C-stationarity.
This paper is concerned with the distributed optimal control of a
time-discrete Cahn--Hilliard/Navier--Stokes system with variable
densities.
It focuses on the double-obstacle potential which yields an optimal
control problem for a family of coupled systems in each time instance of a
variational inequality of fourth order and the Navier--Stokes equation.
By proposing a suitable time-discretization, energy estimates are proved
and the existence of solutions to the primal system and of optimal
controls is established for the original problem as well as for a family
of regularized problems. The latter correspond to Moreau--Yosida type
approximations of the double-obstacle potential. The consistency of these
approximations is shown and first order optimality conditions for the
regularized problems are derived. Through a limit process, a stationarity
system for the original problem is established which is related to a
function space version of C-stationarity.