On the extension problem for semiconcave functions with fractional modulus

Abstract

Consider a locally Lipschitz function $u$ on the closure of a possibly unbounded open subset $\Omega$ of $\mathbb{R}^n$ with $C^{1,1}$ boundary. Suppose $u$ is semiconcave on $\overline \Omega$ with a fractional semiconcavity modulus. Is it possible to extend $u$ in a neighborhood of any boundary point retaining the same semiconcavity modulus? We show that this is indeed the case and we give two applications of this extension property. First, we derive an approximation result for semiconcave functions on closed domains. Then, we use the above extension property to study the propagation of singularities of semiconcave functions at boundary points.