On (discounted) global Eikonal equations in metric spaces

Abstract

Eikonal equations in metric spaces have strong connections with the local slope operator (or the De Giorgi slope). In this manuscript, we explore and delve into an analogous model based on the global slope operator, expressed as $\lambda u + G[u] = \ell$, where $\lambda \geq 0$. In strong contrast with the classical theory, the global slope operator relies neither on the local properties of the functions nor on the structure of the space, and therefore new insights are developed in order to analyze the above equation. Under mild assumptions on the metric space $X$ and the given data $\ell$, we primarily discuss: $(a)$ the existence and uniqueness of (pointwise) solutions; $(b)$ a viscosity perspective and the employment of Perron's method to consider the maximal solution; $(c)$ stability of the maximal solution with respect to both, the data $\ell$ and the discount factor $\lambda$. Our techniques provide a method to approximate solutions of Eikonal equations in metric spaces and a new integration formula based on the global slope of the given function.