Existence of Solutions of Non-Autonomous Second Order Functional Differential Equations with Infinite Delay

In this paper the existence of solutions of a non-autonomous abstract retarded functional differential equation of second order with infinite delay is considered. Assuming the existence of an evolution operator corresponding to the associate abstract Cauchy problem of second order, we establish the existence of mild solutions of the functional equation. Furthermore, we study the existence of classical solutions of the abstract Cauchy problem of second order and we apply these results to establish the existence of classical solutions of the functional equation. Finally, we apply our results to study the existence of solutions of the non-autonomous wave equation with delay. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.