21 research outputs found
Phase Space Derivation of a Variational Principle for One Dimensional Hamiltonian Systems
We consider the bifurcation problem u'' + \lambda u = N(u) with two point
boundary conditions where N(u) is a general nonlinear term which may also
depend on the eigenvalue \lambda. A new derivation of a variational principle
for the lowest eigenvalue \lambda is given. This derivation makes use only of
simple algebraic inequalities and leads directly to a more explicit expression
for the eigenvalue than what had been given previously.Comment: 2 pages, Revtex, no figure
Eigenvalue Ratios for Sturm-Liouville Operators
AbstractIn this paper we prove various optimal bounds for eigenvalue ratios for the Sturm-Liouville equation − [p(x) y′]′ + q(x)y = λw(x)y and certain specializations. Our results primarily concern the regular case with Dirichlet boundary conditions though various extensions and generalizations to other situations are possible. Our results here extend the result λm/λ1 ≤ m2 obtained in a previous paper for the one-dimensional Schrödinger equation, − y″ + q(x)y = λy, on a finite interval with Dirichlet boundary conditions and nonnegative potential (q ≥ 0). In particular, we obtain λm/λ1 ≤ Km2/k, where the constants k, K satisfy 0 < k ≤ p(x) w(x) ≤ K for all x. If q ≡ 0, lower bounds can also be obtained. Our methods involve a slight modification of the Prüfer variable techniques employed in the Schrödinger case. We also examine the consequences of our recent proof of the Payne-Pólya-Weinberger conjecture in the one-dimensional (Sturm-Liouville) setting. Finally, we compare our general bounds to the detailed analyses of Keller and of Mahar and Willner for the special case of the inhomogeneous stretched string
Minimal speed of fronts of reaction-convection-diffusion equations
We study the minimal speed of propagating fronts of convection reaction
diffusion equations of the form for
positive reaction terms with . The function is continuous
and vanishes at . A variational principle for the minimal speed of the
waves is constructed from which upper and lower bounds are obtained. This
permits the a priori assesment of the effect of the convective term on the
minimal speed of the traveling fronts. If the convective term is not strong
enough, it produces no effect on the minimal speed of the fronts. We show that
if , then the minimal speed is given by
the linear value , and the convective term has no effect on the
minimal speed. The results are illustrated by applying them to the exactly
solvable case . Results are also given for
the density dependent diffusion case .Comment: revised, new results adde
Variational approach to a class of nonlinear oscillators with several limit cycles
We study limit cycles of nonlinear oscillators described by the equation
. Depending on the nonlinearity this equation
may exhibit different number of limit cycles.
We show that limit cycles correspond to relative extrema of a certain
functional. Analytical results in the limits and are
in agreement with previously known criteria. For intermediate numerical
determination of the limit cycles can be obtained.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figure
On the validity of the linear speed selection mechanism for fronts of the nonlinear diffusion equation
We consider the problem of the speed selection mechanism for the one
dimensional nonlinear diffusion equation . It has been
rigorously shown by Aronson and Weinberger that for a wide class of functions
, sufficiently localized initial conditions evolve in time into a monotonic
front which propagates with speed such that . The lower value is that predicted
by the linear marginal stability speed selection mechanism. We derive a new
lower bound on the the speed of the selected front, this bound depends on
and thus enables us to assess the extent to which the linear marginal selection
mechanism is valid.Comment: 9 pages, REVTE
Binding of Polarons and Atoms at Threshold
If the polaron coupling constant is large enough, bipolarons or
multi-polarons will form. When passing through the critical from
above, does the radius of the system simply get arbitrarily large or does it
reach a maximum and then explodes? We prove that it is always the latter. We
also prove the analogous statement for the Pekar-Tomasevich (PT) approximation
to the energy, in which case there is a solution to the PT equation at
. Similarly, we show that the same phenomenon occurs for atoms, e.g.,
helium, at the critical value of the nuclear charge. Our proofs rely only on
energy estimates, not on a detailed analysis of the Schr\"odinger equation, and
are very general. They use the fact that the Coulomb repulsion decays like
, while `uncertainty principle' localization energies decay more rapidly,
as .Comment: 19 page
Ordering and finite-size effects in the dynamics of one-dimensional transient patterns
We introduce and analyze a general one-dimensional model for the description
of transient patterns which occur in the evolution between two spatially
homogeneous states. This phenomenon occurs, for example, during the
Freedericksz transition in nematic liquid crystals.The dynamics leads to the
emergence of finite domains which are locally periodic and independent of each
other. This picture is substantiated by a finite-size scaling law for the
structure factor. The mechanism of evolution towards the final homogeneous
state is by local roll destruction and associated reduction of local
wavenumber. The scaling law breaks down for systems of size comparable to the
size of the locally periodic domains. For systems of this size or smaller, an
apparent nonlinear selection of a global wavelength holds, giving rise to long
lived periodic configurations which do not occur for large systems. We also
make explicit the unsuitability of a description of transient pattern dynamics
in terms of a few Fourier mode amplitudes, even for small systems with a few
linearly unstable modes.Comment: 18 pages (REVTEX) + 10 postscript figures appende
Propagation and Structure of Planar Streamer Fronts
Streamers often constitute the first stage of dielectric breakdown in strong
electric fields: a nonlinear ionization wave transforms a non-ionized medium
into a weakly ionized nonequilibrium plasma. New understanding of this old
phenomenon can be gained through modern concepts of (interfacial) pattern
formation. As a first step towards an effective interface description, we
determine the front width, solve the selection problem for planar fronts and
calculate their properties. Our results are in good agreement with many
features of recent three-dimensional numerical simulations.
In the present long paper, you find the physics of the model and the
interfacial approach further explained. As a first ingredient of this approach,
we here analyze planar fronts, their profile and velocity. We encounter a
selection problem, recall some knowledge about such problems and apply it to
planar streamer fronts. We make analytical predictions on the selected front
profile and velocity and confirm them numerically.
(abbreviated abstract)Comment: 23 pages, revtex, 14 ps file
Non-existence and uniqueness results for supercritical semilinear elliptic equations
Non-existence and uniqueness results are proved for several local and
non-local supercritical bifurcation problems involving a semilinear elliptic
equation depending on a parameter. The domain is star-shaped but no other
symmetry assumption is required. Uniqueness holds when the bifurcation
parameter is in a certain range. Our approach can be seen, in some cases, as an
extension of non-existence results for non-trivial solutions. It is based on
Rellich-Pohozaev type estimates. Semilinear elliptic equations naturally arise
in many applications, for instance in astrophysics, hydrodynamics or
thermodynamics. We simplify the proof of earlier results by K. Schmitt and R.
Schaaf in the so-called local multiplicative case, extend them to the case of a
non-local dependence on the bifurcation parameter and to the additive case,
both in local and non-local settings.Comment: Annales Henri Poincar\'e (2009) to appea