Green function for linearized Navier-Stokes around a boundary layer profile: near critical layers

Abstract

This is a continuation and completion of the program (initiated in \cite{GrN1,GrN2}) to derive pointwise estimates on the Green function and sharp bounds on the semigroup of linearized Navier-Stokes around a generic stationary boundary layer profile. This is done via a spectral analysis approach and a careful study of the Orr-Sommerfeld equations, or equivalently the Navier-Stokes resolvent operator $(\lambda - L)^{-1}$. The earlier work (\cite{GrN1,GrN2}) treats the Orr-Sommerfeld equations away from critical layers: this is the case when the phase velocity is away from the range of the background profile or when $\lambda$ is away from the Euler continuous spectrum. In this paper, we study the critical case: the Orr-Sommerfeld equations near critical layers, providing pointwise estimates on the Green function as well as carefully studying the Dunford's contour integral near the critical layers. As an application, we obtain pointwise estimates on the Green function and sharp bounds on the semigroup of the linearized Navier-Stokes problem near monotonic boundary layers that are spectrally stable to the Euler equations, complementing \cite{GrN1,GrN2} where unstable profiles are considered.