Optimal Orlicz-Sobolev embeddings

Abstract

An embedding theorem for the Orlicz-Sobolev space $W_0^{1,A}(G)$, $G\subset {\mathbb{R}}^n$, into a space of Orlicz-Lorentz type is established for any given Young function $A$. Such a space is shown to be the best possible among all rearrangement invariant spaces. A version of the theorem for anisotropic spaces is also exhibited. In particular, our results recover and provide a unified framework for various well-known Sobolev type embeddings, including the classical inequalities for the standard Sobolev space $W_0^{1,p}(G)$ by O'Neil and by Peetre ($1\le p<n$), and by Brezis-Wainger and by Hansson ($p=n$).