Singular analysis of a shape optimization problem arising in population dynamics

When analyzing the survival threshold for a species in population dynamics, one is led to consider the principal eigenvalue of some indefinite weighted problems in a bounded domain. The minimization of such eigenvalue, associated with either Dirichlet or Neumann boundary conditions, translates into a shape optimization problem. We perform the analysis of the singular limit of this problem, in case of arbitrarily small favorable region. We show that, in this regime, the favorable region is connected and it concentrates at points depending on the boundary conditions. Moreover, we investigate the interplay between the location of the favorable region and its shape. Joint works with Lorenzo Ferreri, Dario Mazzoleni and Benedetta Pellacci.