General Fractional Vector Calculus

Abstract

A generalization of fractional vector calculus (FVC) as a self-consistent mathematical theory is proposed to take into account a general form of non-locality in kernels of fractional vector differential and integral operators. Self-consistency involves proving generalizations of all fundamental theorems of vector calculus for generalized kernels of operators. In the generalization of FVC from power-law nonlocality to the general form of nonlocality in space, we use the general fractional calculus (GFC) in the Luchko approach, which was published in 2021. This paper proposed the following: (I) Self-consistent definitions of general fractional differential vector operators: the regional and line general fractional gradients, the regional and surface general fractional curl operators, the general fractional divergence are proposed. (II) Self-consistent definitions of general fractional integral vector operators: the general fractional circulation, general fractional flux and general fractional volume integral are proposed. (III) The general fractional gradient, Green’s, Stokes’ and Gauss’s theorems as fundamental theorems of general fractional vector calculus are proved for simple and complex regions. The fundamental theorems (Gradient, Green, Stokes, Gauss theorems) of the proposed general FVC are proved for a wider class of domains, surfaces and curves. All these three parts allow us to state that we proposed a calculus, which is a general fractional vector calculus (General FVC). The difficulties and problems of defining general fractional integral and differential vector operators are discussed to the nonlocal case, caused by the violation of standard product rule (Leibniz rule), chain rule (rule of differentiation of function composition) and semigroup property. General FVC for orthogonal curvilinear coordinates, which includes general fractional vector operators for the spherical and cylindrical coordinates, is also proposed.