Blow up in a periodic semilinear heat equation

Abstract: Blow up in a one-dimensional semilinear heat equation is studied using a combination of numerical and analytical tools. The focus is on problems periodic in the space variable and starting out from a nearly flat, positive initial condition. Novel results include various asymptotic approximations that are, in combination, valid over the entire space and time interval right up to and including the blow-up time. Preliminary results on continuing a numerical solution beyond the singularity are also presented.