Analysis of polarity

Abstract

We develop a differential theory for the polarity transform parallel to that for the Legendre transform, which is applicable when the functions studied are "geometric convex", namely convex, non-negative and vanish at the origin. This analysis may be used to solve a family of first order equations reminiscent of Hamilton--Jacobi and conservation law equations, as well as some second order Monge-Ampere type equations. A special case of the latter, that we refer to as the homogeneous polar Monge--Ampere equation, gives rise to a canonical method of interpolating between convex functions.