paper

Gradient Existence and Energy Finiteness of Local Minimizers in the Wasserstein Topology for Binary-Star Systems

arXiv:2602.01678

Abstract

In this paper, we refine and complement McCann's results on binary-star systems \cite{McC06}, a compressible fluid model governed by the Euler-Poisson equations. We consider a general form of the equation of state that includes polytropic gaseous stars indexed by as a special case. Beyond revisiting McCann's framework and conclusions -- where solutions to the Euler-Poisson equations are obtained as local energy minimizers via variational methods under the topology induced by the Wasserstein distance -- we focus on a detailed exploration of the properties of local energy minimizers in this topology, addressing three key aspects: (1) the feasibility of transitioning from the Euler-Lagrange equation to the Euler-Poisson equation by demonstrating gradient existence; (2) the existence of functions within neighborhoods in this topology; and (3) the finiteness of the energy of local minimizers in this topology, contrasted with the non-existence of finite-energy local minimizers and the existence of infinite-energy weak local minimizers in the topology inherited from topological vector spaces.

Minor revisions in formatting, exposition, and grammar. Remarks and appendix updated. 47 pages total. Comments are welcome