On duality principles and related convex dual formulations suitable for local and global non-convex variational optimization

Abstract This article develops duality principles, a related convex dual formulation and primal dual formulations suitable for the local and global optimization of non convex primal formulations for a large class of models in physics and engineering. The results are based on standard tools of functional analysis, calculus of variations and duality theory. In particular, we develop applications to a Ginzburg–Landau type equation. Other applications include primal dual variational formulations for a Burger’s type equation and a Navier–Stokes system. We emphasize the novelty here is that the first dual variational formulation developed is convex for a primal formulation which is originally non-convex. Finally, we also highlight the primal dual variational formulations presented have a large region of convexity around any of their critical points.