Optimal Control And Viscosity Solutions Of Hamilton Jacobi Bellman Equations

This softcover book is a self-contained account of the theory of viscosity solutions for first-order partial differential equations of Hamilton–Jacobi type and its interplay with Bellman’s dynamic programming approach to optimal control and differential games. It will be of interest to scientists involved in the theory of optimal control of deterministic linear and nonlinear systems. The work may be used by graduate students and researchers in control theory both as an introductory textbook and as an up-to-date reference book.

Optimal feedback control arises in different areas such as aerospace engineering, chemical processing, resource economics, etc. In this context, the application of dynamic programming techniques leads to the solution of fully nonlinear Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations. This book presents the state of the art in the numerical approximation of Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations, including post-processing of Galerkin methods, high-order methods, boundary treatment in semi-Lagrangian schemes, reduced basis methods, comparison principles for viscosity solutions, max-plus methods, and the numerical approximation of Monge-Ampère equations. This book also features applications in the simulation of adaptive controllers and the control of nonlinear delay differential equations. Contents From a monotone probabilistic scheme to a probabilistic max-plus algorithm for solving Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equations Improving policies for Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equations by postprocessing Viability approach to simulation of an adaptive controller Galerkin approximations for the optimal control of nonlinear delay differential equations Efficient higher order time discretization schemes for Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equations based on diagonally implicit symplectic Runge–Kutta methods Numerical solution of the simple Monge–Ampere equation with nonconvex Dirichlet data on nonconvex domains On the notion of boundary conditions in comparison principles for viscosity solutions Boundary mesh refinement for semi-Lagrangian schemes A reduced basis method for the Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equation within the European Union Emission Trading Scheme

This book is an introduction to optimal stochastic control for continuous time Markov processes and the theory of viscosity solutions. It covers dynamic programming for deterministic optimal control problems, as well as to the corresponding theory of viscosity solutions. New chapters in this second edition introduce the role of stochastic optimal control in portfolio optimization and in pricing derivatives in incomplete markets and two-controller, zero-sum differential games.

The volume comprises five extended surveys on the recent theory of viscosity solutions of fully nonlinear partial differential equations, and some of its most relevant applications to optimal control theory for deterministic and stochastic systems, front propagation, geometric motions and mathematical finance. The volume forms a state-of-the-art reference on the subject of viscosity solutions, and the authors are among the most prominent specialists. Potential readers are researchers in nonlinear PDE's, systems theory, stochastic processes.

Geometrical optics and viscosity solutions / A.-P. Blanc, G. T. Kossioris and G. N. Makrakis -- Computation of vorticity evolution for a cylindrical Type-II superconductor subject to parallel and transverse applied magnetic fields / A. Briggs ... [et al.] -- A characterization of the value function for a class of degenerate control problems / F. Camilli -- Some microstructures in three dimensions / M. Chipot and V. Lecuyer -- Convergence of numerical schemes for the approximation of level set solutions to mean curvature flow / K. Deckelnick and G. Dziuk -- Optimal discretization steps in semi-lagrangian approximation of first-order PDEs / M. Falcone, R. Ferretti and T. Manfroni -- Convergence past singularities to the forced mean curvature flow for a modified reaction-diffusion approach / F. Fierro -- The viscosity-duality solutions approach to geometric pptics for the Helmholtz equation / L. Gosse and F. James -- Adaptive grid generation for evolutive Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations / L. Grune -- Solution and application of anisotropic curvature driven evolution of curves (and surfaces) / K. Mikula -- An adaptive scheme on unstructured grids for the shape-from-shading problem / M. Sagona and A. Seghini -- On a posteriori error estimation for constant obstacle problems / A. Veeser.

The 12th conference on "Variational Calculus, Optimal Control and Applications" took place September 23-27, 1996, in Trassenheide on the Baltic Sea island of Use dom. Seventy mathematicians from ten countries participated. The preceding eleven conferences, too, were held in places of natural beauty throughout West Pomerania; the first time, in 1972, in Zinnowitz, which is in the immediate area of Trassenheide. The conferences were founded, and led ten times, by Professor Bittner (Greifswald) and Professor KlCitzler (Leipzig), who both celebrated their 65th birthdays in 1996. The 12th conference in Trassenheide, was, therefore, also dedicated to L. Bittner and R. Klotzler. Both scientists made a lasting impression on control theory in the former GDR. Originally, the conferences served to promote the exchange of research results. In the first years, most of the lectures were theoretical, but in the last few conferences practical applications have been given more attention. Besides their pioneering theoretical works, both honorees have also always dealt with applications problems. L. Bittner has, for example, examined optimal control of nuclear reactors and associated safety aspects. Since 1992 he has been working on applications in optimal control in flight dynamics. R. Klotzler recently applied his results on optimal autobahn planning to the south tangent in Leipzig. The contributions published in these proceedings reflect the trend to practical problems; starting points are often questions from flight dynamics.

In view of Professor Wendell Fleming's many fundamental contributions, his profound influence on the mathematical and systems theory communi ties, his service to the profession, and his dedication to mathematics, we have invited a number of leading experts in the fields of control, optimiza tion, and stochastic systems to contribute to this volume in his honor on the occasion of his 70th birthday. These papers focus on various aspects of stochastic analysis, control theory and optimization, and applications. They include authoritative expositions and surveys as well as research papers on recent and important issues. The papers are grouped according to the following four major themes: (1) large deviations, risk sensitive and Hoc control, (2) partial differential equations and viscosity solutions, (3) stochastic control, filtering and parameter esti mation, and (4) mathematical finance and other applications. We express our deep gratitude to all of the authors for their invaluable contributions, and to the referees for their careful and timely reviews. We thank Harold Kushner for having graciously agreed to undertake the task of writing the foreword. Particular thanks go to H. Thomas Banks for his help, advice and suggestions during the entire preparation process, as well as for the generous support of the Center for Research in Scientific Computation. The assistance from the Birkhauser professional staff is also greatly appreciated.

This book is intended as an introduction to optimal stochastic control for continuous time Markov processes and to the theory of viscosity solutions. The authors approach stochastic control problems by the method of dynamic programming. The text provides an introduction to dynamic programming for deterministic optimal control problems, as well as to the corresponding theory of viscosity solutions. A new Chapter X gives an introduction to the role of stochastic optimal control in portfolio optimization and in pricing derivatives in incomplete markets. Chapter VI of the First Edition has been completely rewritten, to emphasize the relationships between logarithmic transformations and risk sensitivity. A new Chapter XI gives a concise introduction to two-controller, zero-sum differential games. Also covered are controlled Markov diffusions and viscosity solutions of Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equations. The authors have tried, through illustrative examples and selective material, to connect stochastic control theory with other mathematical areas (e.g. large deviations theory) and with applications to engineering, physics, management, and finance.; In this Second Edition, new material on applications to mathematical finance has been added. Concise introductions to risk-sensitive control theory, nonlinear H-infinity control and differential games are also included.