The optimal initial datum for a class of reaction-advection-diffusion equations

Abstract

We consider a reaction-diffusion model with a drift term in a bounded domain. Given a time $T,$ we prove the existence and uniqueness of an initial datum that maximizes the total mass $\textstyle{\int_\Omega u(T,x)\mathrm{d}x}$ in the presence of an advection term. In a population dynamics context, this optimal initial datum can be understood as the best distribution of the initial population that leads to a maximal the total population at a prefixed time $T.$ We also compare the total masses at a time $T$ in two cases: depending on whether an advection term is present in the medium or not. We prove that the presence of a large enough advection enhances the total mass.