Higher order Neumann problems for Laplace's equation in two dimensions

Abstract

We discuss the boundary value problem $\Delta u=f$, $\partial^ku/\partial n^k=g$ in a bounded two-dimensional domain. For a smooth simply connected region, we prove that the only solutions of the homogeneous problem are harmonic polynomials of degree $k-1$. For multiply connected domains, this is true ``generically." In domains with corners, on the other hand, there are additional solutions.