Multiple positive solutions of a Sturm-Liouville boundary value problem with conflicting nonlinearities

We study the second order nonlinear differential equation \begin{equation*} u"+ \sum_{i=1}^{m} \alpha_{i} a_{i}(x)g_{i}(u) - \sum_{j=0}^{m+1} \beta_{j} b_{j}(x)k_{j}(u) = 0, \end{equation*} where $\alpha_{i},\beta_{j}>0$, $a_{i}(x), b_{j}(x)$ are non-negative Lebesgue integrable functions defined in $\mathopen{[}0,L\mathclose{]}$, and the nonlinearities $g_{i}(s), k_{j}(s)$ are continuous, positive and satisfy suitable growth conditions, as to cover the classical superlinear equation $u"+a(x)u^{p}=0$, with $p>1$. When the positive parameters $\beta_{j}$ are sufficiently large, we prove the existence of at least $2^{m}-1$ positive solutions for the Sturm-Liouville boundary value problems associated with the equation. The proof is based on the Leray-Schauder topological degree for locally compact operators on open and possibly unbounded sets. Finally, we deal with radially symmetric positive solutions for the Dirichlet problems associated with elliptic PDEs.Comment: 23 pages, 6 PNG figure

Static Solitons of the Sine-Gordon Equation and Equilibrium Vortex Structure in Josephson Junctions

The problem of vortex structure in a single Josephson junction in an external magnetic field, in the absence of transport currents, is reconsidered from a new mathematical point of view. In particular, we derive a complete set of exact analytical solutions representing all the stationary points (minima and saddle-points) of the relevant Gibbs free-energy functional. The type of these solutions is determined by explicit evaluation of the second variation of the Gibbs free-energy functional. The stable (physical) solutions minimizing the Gibbs free-energy functional form an infinite set and are labelled by a topological number Nv=0,1,2,... Mathematically, they can be interpreted as nontrivial ''vacuum'' (Nv=0) and static topological solitons (Nv=1,2,...) of the sine-Gordon equation for the phase difference in a finite spatial interval: solutions of this kind were not considered in previous literature. Physically, they represent the Meissner state (Nv=0) and Josephson vortices (Nv=1,2,...). Major properties of the new physical solutions are thoroughly discussed. An exact, closed-form analytical expression for the Gibbs free energy is derived and analyzed numerically. Unstable (saddle-point) solutions are also classified and discussed.Comment: 17 pages, 4 Postscript figure

Multiple positive solutions to elliptic boundary blow-up problems

We prove the existence of multiple positive radial solutions to the sign-indefinite elliptic boundary blow-up problem $$\left\{\begin{array}{ll} \Delta u + \bigl(a^+(\vert x \vert) - \mu a^-(\vert x \vert)\bigr) g(u) = 0, & \; \vert x \vert < 1, \\ u(x) \to \infty, & \; \vert x \vert \to 1, \end{array} \right.$$ where $g$ is a function superlinear at zero and at infinity, $a^+$ and $a^-$ are the positive/negative part, respectively, of a sign-changing function $a$ and $\mu > 0$ is a large parameter. In particular, we show how the number of solutions is affected by the nodal behavior of the weight function $a$. The proof is based on a careful shooting-type argument for the equivalent singular ODE problem. As a further application of this technique, the existence of multiple positive radial homoclinic solutions to $$\Delta u + \bigl(a^+(\vert x \vert) - \mu a^-(\vert x \vert)\bigr) g(u) = 0, \qquad x \in \mathbb{R}^N,$$ is also considered

Existence and multiplicity of solutions to boundary value problems associated with nonlinear first order planar systems

The monograph is devoted to the study of nonlinear first order systems in the plane where the principal term is the gradient of a positive and positively 2-homogeneous Hamiltonian (or the convex combination of two of such gradients). After some preliminaries about positively 2-homogeneous autonomous systems, some results of existence and multiplicity of T-periodic solutions are presented in case of bounded or sublinear nonlinear perturbations. Our attention is mainly focused on the occurrence of resonance phenomena, and the corresponding results rely essentially on conditions of Landesman-Lazer or Ahmad-Lazer-Paul type. The techniques used are predominantly topological, exploiting the theory of coincidence degree and the use of the Poincar\ue9-Birkhoff fixed point theorem. At the end, other boundary conditions, including the Sturm-Liouville ones, are taken into account, giving the corresponding existence and multiplicity results in a nonresonant situation via the shooting method and topological arguments

Radial vibrations of BPS skyrmions

We study radial vibrations of spherically symmetric skyrmions in the BPS Skyrme model. Concretely, we numerically solve the linearised field equations for small fluctuations in a skyrmion background, both for linearly stable oscillations and for (unstable) resonances. This is complemented by numerical solutions of the full nonlinear system, which confirm all the results of the linear analysis. In all cases, the resulting fundamental excitation provides a rather accurate value for the Roper resonance, supporting the hypothesis that the BPS Skyrme model already gives a reasonable approximate description of this resonance. Further, for many potentials additional higher resonances appear, again in agreement with known experimental results.Comment: Latex, 41 pages, 22 pdf figures; v2: minor change

Stationary states of a nonlinear Schrödinger lattice with a harmonic trap

We study a discrete nonlinear Schrödinger lattice with a parabolic trapping potential. The model, describing, e.g., an array of repulsive Bose-Einstein condensate droplets confined in the wells of an optical lattice, is analytically and numerically investigated. Starting from the linear limit of the problem, we use global bifurcation theory to rigorously prove that – in the discrete regime – all linear states lead to nonlinear generalizations thereof, which assume the form of a chain of discrete dark solitons (as the density increases). The stability of the ensuing nonlinear states is studied and it is found that the ground state is stable, while the excited states feature a chain of stability/instability bands. We illustrate the mechanisms under which discreteness destabilizes the dark-soliton configurations, which become stable only in the continuum regime. Continuation from the anti-continuum limit is also considered, and a rich bifurcation structure is revealed

Positive solutions to indefinite problems: a topological approach

The present Ph.D. thesis is devoted to the study of positive solutions to indefinite problems. In particular, we deal with the second order nonlinear differential equation u'' + a(t) g(u) = 0, where g : [0,+ 1e[\u2192[0,+ 1e[ is a continuous nonlinearity and a : [0,T]\u2192R is a Lebesgue integrable sign-changing weight. We analyze the Dirichlet, Neumann and periodic boundary value problems on [0,T] associated with the equation and we provide existence, nonexistence and multiplicity results for positive solutions. In the first part of the manuscript, we investigate nonlinearities g(u) with a superlinear growth at zero and at infinity (including the classical superlinear case g(u)=u^p, with p&gt;1). In particular, we prove that there exist 2^m-1 positive solutions when a(t) has m positive humps separated by negative ones and the negative part of a(t) is sufficiently large. Then, for the Dirichlet problem, we solve a conjecture by G\uf3mez\u2010Re\uf1asco and L\uf3pez\u2010G\uf3mez (JDE, 2000) and, for the periodic problem, we give a complete answer to a question raised by Butler (JDE, 1976). In the second part, we study the super-sublinear case (i.e. g(u) is superlinear at zero and sublinear at infinity). If a(t) has m positive humps separated by negative ones, we obtain the existence of 3^m-1 positive solutions of the boundary value problems associated with the parameter-dependent equation u'' + \u3bb a(t) g(u) = 0, when both \u3bb&gt;0 and the negative part of a(t) are sufficiently large. We propose a new approach based on topological degree theory for locally compact operators on open possibly unbounded sets, which applies for Dirichlet, Neumann and periodic boundary conditions. As a byproduct of our method, we obtain infinitely many subharmonic solutions and globally defined positive solutions with complex behavior, and we deal with chaotic dynamics. Moreover, we study positive radially symmetric solutions to the Dirichlet and Neumann problems associated with elliptic PDEs on annular domains. Furthermore, this innovative technique has the potential and the generality needed to deal with indefinite problems with more general differential operators. Indeed, our approach apply also for the non-Hamiltonian equation u'' + cu' + a(t) g(u) = 0. Meanwhile, more general operators in the one-dimensional case and problems involving PDEs will be subjects of future investigations