Some fourth order nonlinear elliptic problems related to epitaxial growth

Abstract

This paper deals with some mathematical models arising in the theory of epitaxial growth of crystal. We focalize the study on a stationary problem which presents some analytical difficulties. We study the existence of solutions. The central model in this work is given by the following fourth order elliptic equation, $$\begin{array}{rclll} \Delta^2 u=\text{det} \left(D^2 u \right) &+&\lambda f, \quad & x\in \Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^2\\ \hbox{conditions on} &\quad& & \partial \Omega. \end{array} $$ The framework to study the problem deeply depends on the boundary conditions.