Connecting orbits for nonlinear parabolic equations (Q1275249): Difference between revisions

We consider the scalar reaction diffusion equation \[ u_t= f(x,u,u_x, u_{xx})\tag{1} \] with \(x\in S^1= \mathbb{R}/2\pi\mathbb{Z}\), \(f\in C^\infty\) and \(C^{-1}\leq f_{u_{xx}}\leq C\), where \(C\) is a positive constant. Let \(u\) be a bounded solution of (1) in \(C^1(S^1\times (0,\infty))\). If all periodic solutions of (1) are hyperbolic, then any bounded solution of equation (1) tends to a periodic solution (which can be in particular a steady state), as \(t\to+\infty\). So it is interesting to study the connecting orbits between periodic solutions of (1). Let \(L\) be a periodic hyperbolic orbit of (1). We denote by \(W^s(L)\) and \(W^u(L)\) the stable and unstable manifolds of \(L\) respectively. We denote by \(M(L)= \dim W^u(L)\) the Morse index of \(L\). Theorem. Let \(L\), \(L'\) be periodic hyperbolic orbits of equation (1) and \(L\to L'\). Then \(M(L)\geq M(L')\). If \(L\) distinguishes from an equilibrium point then \(M(L)> M(L')\). Corollary. Let \(L\) be a periodic hyperbolic orbit of (1) different from an equilibrium point. Then \(L\) has no homoclinical trajectory.