Optimal Control of Semilinear Parabolic Equations with Non-smooth Pointwise-Integral Control Constraints in Time-Space

Abstract: This work concentrates on a class of optimal control problems for semilinear parabolic equations subject to control constraint of the form $|u(t)|_{L^1(\Omega)} \le \gamma$ for $t \in (0,T)$. This limits the total control that can be applied to the system at any instant of time. The $L^1$-norm of the constraint leads to sparsity of the control in space, for the time instants when the constraint is active. Due to the non-smoothness of the constraint, the analysis of the control problem requires new techniques. Existence of a solution, first and second order optimality conditions, and regularity of the optimal control are proved. Further, stability of the optimal controls with respect to $\gamma$ is investigated on the basis of different second order conditions.