Regularity of solutions for a free boundary problem in two dimensions

Abstract

We study the regularity of minimizers to the functional \[ J(w)=\int_{\Omega} a^{ij}w_iw_j + Q\chi_{\{w>0\}}, \] over a bounded domain $\Omega$ and among the class of nonnegative functions in $W^{1,2}(\Omega)$ with prescribed boundary data. We assume that the coefficients $a^{ij}$ are only bounded and measurable and satisfy an ellipticity in condition. In two dimensions we prove that minimizers are H\"older continuous on subdomains. We also prove that in two dimensions a minimizer $u$ satisfies a linear growth condition from above and below near the free boundary $\partial \{u>0\}$.