Null controllability for the heat equation with singular inverse-square potentials ✩

We prove the null controllability of the heat equation perturbed by a singular inverse-square potential arising in quantum mechanics and combustion theory. This is done within the range of subcritical coefficients of the singular potential, provided the control acts on an annular set around the singularity. Our proof uses a splitting argument on the domain, decomposition in spherical harmonics, new Carleman inequalities and refined Hardy inequalities. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved