On the approximate controllability of semilinear fractional differential systems

Abstract

Fractional differential equations have wide applications in science and engineering. In this paper, we consider a class of control systems governed by the semilinear fractional differential equations in Hilbert spaces. By using the semigroup theory, the fractional power theory and fixed point strategy, a new set of sufficient conditions are formulated which guarantees the approximate controllability of semilinear fractional differential systems. The results are established under the assumption that the associated linear system is approximately controllable. Further, we extend the result to study the approximate controllability of fractional systems with nonlocal conditions. An example is provided to illustrate the application of the obtained theory. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.