The Derrida-Lebowitz-Speer-Spohn equation: Existence, nonuniqueness, and decay rates of the solutions

The logarithmic fourth-order equation ∂_tu +1/2 ∑_i,j=1^d ∂_ij² (u∂_ij² log u) = 0, called the Derrida-Lebowitz-Speer- Spohn equation, with periodic boundary conditions is analyzed. The global-in-time existence of weak nonnegative solutions in space dimensions d ≤ 3 is shown. Furthermore, a family of entropy-entropy dissipation inequalities is derived in arbitrary space dimensions, and rates of the exponential decay of the weak solutions to the homogeneous steady state are estimated. The proofs are based on the algorithmic entropy construction method developed by the authors and on an exponential variable transformation. Finally, an example for nonuniqueness of the solution is provided.