Stochastic Burgers PDEs with random coefficients and a generalization of the Cole-Hopf transformation

This paper studies forward and backward versions of the random Burgers equation (RBE) with stochastic coefficients. First, the celebrated Cole-Hopf transformation reduces the forward RBE to a forward random heat equation (RHE) that can be treated pathwise. Next we provide a connection between the backward Burgers equation and a system of FBSDEs. Exploiting this connection, we derive a generalization of the Cole-Hopf transformation which links the backward RBE with the backward RHE and investigate the range of its applicability. Stochastic Feynman-Kac representations for the solutions are provided. Explicit solutions are constructed and applications in stochastic control and mathematical finance are discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.