Time-Dependent Wave Equations on Graded Groups

In this paper we consider the wave equations for hypoelliptic homogeneous left-invariant operators on graded Lie groups with time-dependent Holder (or more regular) non-negative propagation speeds. The examples are the time-dependent wave equation for the sub-Laplacian on the Heisenberg group or on general stratified Lie groups, or p-evolution equations for higher order operators on Rn or on groups, already in all these cases our results being new. We establish sharp well-posedness results in the spirit of the classical result by Colombini, De Giorgi and Spagnolo. In particular, we describe an interesting local loss of regularity phenomenon depending on the step of the group (for stratified groups) and on the order of the considered operator.