Initial^BoundaryValue Problem fora Class of Linear Relaxation Systemsin Arbitrary Space Dimensions

In this paper, we consider the characteristic initial–boundary value problem (IBVP) for the multi-dimensional Jin–Xin relaxation model in a half-space with arbitrary space dimension n52: As in the one-dimensional case (n 1⁄4 1; see (J. Differential Equations, 167 (2000), 388–437), our main interest is on the precise structural stability conditions on the relaxation system, particularly the formulation of boundary conditions, such that the relaxation IBVP is stiffly well posed, that is, uniformly well posed independent of the relaxation parameter e > 0; and the solution of the relaxation IBVP converges, as e ! 0; to that of the corresponding limiting equilibrium system, except for a sharp transition layer near the boundary. Our main result can be roughly stated as Stiff Kreiss Condition 1⁄4 Uniform Kreiss Condition for the relaxation IBVP we consider in this paper, which is in sharp contrast to the onedimensional case (Z. Xin and W.-Q. Xu, J. Differential Equations, 167 (2000), 388–437). More precisely, we show that the Uniform Kreiss Condition (which is necessary and sufficient for the well posedness of the relaxation IBVP for each fixed e), together with the subcharacteristic condition (which is necessary and sufficient for the stiff well posedness of the corresponding Cauchy problem), also guarantees the stiff well posedness of our relaxation IBVP and the asymptotic convergence to the corresponding equilibrium system in the limit of small relaxation rate. Optimal convergence rates are obtained and various boundary layer behaviors are also rigorously justified. # 2002 Elsevier Science (USA)