Elliptic fourth-order operators with Wentzell boundary conditions on Lipschitz domains

Abstract

For bounded domains $\Omega$ with Lipschitz boundary $\Gamma$, we investigate boundary value problems for elliptic operators with variable coefficients of fourth order subject to Wentzell (or dynamic) boundary conditions. Using form methods, we begin by showing general results for an even wider class of operators defined via two (intertwined) quadratic forms by defining very abstract concepts of weak traces. Even in this general setting, we prove generation of an analytic semigroup on the product space $L^2(\Omega) \times L^2(\Gamma)$. Using recent results concerning weak co-normal traces, we apply our abstract theory to the elliptic fourth-order case and are able to fully characterize the domain in terms of Sobolev regularity, also obtaining H\"older-regularity of solutions. Finally, we also discuss asymptotic behavior and (eventual) positivity.