Universal structure of blow-up in 1D conservation laws

Abstract

We discuss universality properties of blow-up of a classical (smooth) solutions of conservation laws in one space dimension. It is shown that the renormalized wave profile tends to a universal function, which is independent both of initial conditions and of the form of a conservation law. This property is explained in terms of the renormalization group theory. A solitary wave appears in logarithmic coordinates of the Fourier space as a counterpart of this universality. Universality is demonstrated in two examples: Burgers equation and dynamics of ideal polytropic gas.