On the Lagrangian structure of transport equations: relativistic Vlasov systems

Abstract. We study the Lagrangian structure of relativistic Vlasov systems, such as the relativistic Vlasov-Poisson and the relativistic quasi-eletrostatic limit of Vlasov-Maxwell equations. We show that renormalized solutions of these systems are Lagrangian and that these notions of solution, in fact, coincide. As a consequence, finite-energy solutions are shown to be transported by a global flow. Moreover, we extend the notion of generalized solution for “effective” densities and we prove its existence. Finally, under a higher integrability assumption of the initial condition, we show that solutions have every energy bounded, even in the gravitational case. These results extend to our setting those obtained by Ambrosio, Colombo, and Figalli [3] for the Vlasov-Poisson system; here, we analyse relativistic systems and we consider the contribution of the magnetic force into the evolution equation.