On an $L^2$ critical Boltzmann equation

Abstract

We prove the existence of a class of large global scattering solutions of Boltzmann's equation with constant collision kernel in two dimensions. These solutions are found for $L^2$ perturbations of an underlying initial data which is Gaussian jointly in space and velocity. Additionally, the perturbation is required to satisfy natural physical constraints for the total mass and second moments, corresponding to conserved or controlled quantities. The space $L^2$ is a scaling critical space for the equation under consideration. If the initial data is Schwartz then the solution is unique and again Schwartz on any bounded time interval.

AMS Latex, 119 pages