Ground states of \(-\Delta u=f(u)\) and the Emden-Fowler equation (Q1084576)

Radially symmetric solutions of nonlinear Poisson equations in \({\mathbb{R}}^ n\) (n\(\geq 2):\) \[ (I)\quad -\Delta u=f(u),\quad u>0\quad in\quad {\mathbb{R}}^ n;\quad u(x)\to 0\quad as\quad x\to \infty, \] are considered. The search of radial solutions of Problem I leads to the ODE problem: \[ (II)\quad u''+((n-1)/r)u'+f(u)=0,\quad 0<r<\infty,\quad u(r)>0,\quad 0<r<\infty,\quad u'(0)=0,\quad u(r)\to 0\quad as\quad r\to 0. \] The paper completes the ODE approach to (I) by placing the problem in the context of the rather more general Emden-Fowler equation of the type: \[ (III)\quad y''+a(t)f(y)=0,\quad y>0,\quad -\infty \leq A<t<\infty,\quad y(A)=0,\quad \lim_{t\to \infty}y(t)\quad exists. \] Conditions on a(t) and f(y) are formulated which guarantee the existence of solutions of Problem III. This yields in particular results about Problem II but also about related problems.