Fast Propagation in Reaction-diffusion Equations with Fractional Diffusion
This thesis focuses on the long time behaviour, and more precisely on fast propagation, in Fisher-KPP reaction diffusion equations involving fractional diffusion. This type of equation arises, for example, in spreading of biological species. Under some specific assumptions, the population invades the medium and we want to understand at which speed this invasion takes place when fractional diffusion is at stake. To answer this question, we set up a new method and apply it on different models. In a first part, we study two different problems, both including fractional diffusion : Fisher-KPP models in periodic media and cooperative systems. In both cases, we prove, under additional assumptions, that the solution spreads exponentially fast in time and we find the precise exponent of propagation. We also carry out numerical simulations to investigate the dependence of the speed of propagation on the initial condition. In a second part, we deal with a two dimensional environment, where reproduction of Fisher-KPP type and usual diffusion occur, except on a line of the plane, on which fractional diffusion takes place. The plane is referred to as "the field" and the line to "the road", as a reference to the biological situations we have in mind. We prove that the speed of propagation is exponential in time on the road, whereas it depends linearly on time in the field. The expansion shape of the level sets in the field is investigated through numerical simulations.