Optimization of the first eigenvalue in problems involving the p-Laplacian

This paper concerns minimization and maximization of the first eigenvalue in problems involving the p-Laplacian, under homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. Physically, in the case of N = 2 and p close to 2, our equation models the vibration of a nonhomogeneous membrane Ω which is fixed along the boundary. Given several materials (with different densities) of total extension |Ω|, we investigate the location of these material inside Ω so as to minimize or maximize the first mode in the vibration of the membrane.