On nontrivial solutions of a Dirichlet problem whose jumping nonlinearity crosses a multiple eigenvalue (Q749759)

Let \(\Omega\) be a bounded domain in \({\mathbb{R}}^ N\) (N\(\geq 2)\), \(\partial \Omega\) smooth. Let \(\lambda_ 1<\lambda_ 2<..\). be the sequence of distinct eigenvalues of -\(\Delta\) in \(\Omega\), p: \({\mathbb{R}}\to {\mathbb{R}}\) a continuous function with \(p(0)=0\), \(\lim_{t\to +\infty}(p(t)/t)=b\), \(\lim_{t\to -\infty}(p(t)/t)=a\). The number of nontrivial solutions of the Dirichlet problem \(-\Delta u=p(u)\) in \(\Omega\), \(u=0\) on \(\partial \Omega\) is discussed. Denote by \(\Sigma\) the extended spectrum of -\(\Delta\), i.e., the set of all pairs \(\{\) c,d\(\}\) of real numbers, for which \(-\Delta u=du^+- cu^-\) in \(\Omega\), \(u=0\) on \(\partial \Omega\) has a nontrivial solution. Results of the following type are proved: Theorem I. Let \(a\in (\lambda_{k-1},\lambda_ k)\), \(k\geq 2\), be given. Then there is a largest number \(\beta_ 1(a)\in (\lambda_ k,\lambda_{k+1}]\) such that \(\{\) a,b\(\}\not\in \Sigma\) for each \(b\in (\lambda_{k-1},\beta_ 1(a)).\) (i) Suppose in addition that there exists a constant \(\mu\) such that \((p(s)-p(t))/(s-t)\geq \mu >\lambda_{k-1}\), s,t\(\in {\mathbb{R}}\), \(s\neq t\), that \(p'(0)\) exists and that for some \(\ell \geq k\), \(p'(0)\in (\lambda_{\ell},\lambda_{\ell +1})\). Then Dirichlet problem has at least two nontrivial solutions if \(b\in (\lambda_{k-1},\beta_ 1(a)).\) (ii) If \(\lambda_ k-a\) is small enough then \(\beta_ 1(a)\in (\lambda_ k,\lambda_{k+1})\) and there is also a number \(\beta_ 2(a)\equiv [\beta_ 1(a),\lambda_{k+1})\) such that \((a,\beta_ i(a))\in \Sigma\) \((i=1,2)\), but \(\{\) a,b\(\}\not\in \Sigma\) for \(b\in (\lambda_{k-1},\lambda_{k+1})\setminus [\beta_ 1(a),\beta_ 2(a)].\) Suppose in addition that there is a constant \(\nu\) such that \((p(s)- p(t))/(s-t)\leq \nu <\lambda_{k+1}\), s,t\(\in {\mathbb{R}}\), \(s\neq t\), that \(p'(0)\) exists and that for some \(j\leq k\), \(p'(0)\in (\lambda_{j- 1},\lambda_ j)\). Then Dirichlet problem has at least two nontrivial solutions if \(b\in (\beta_ 2(a),\lambda_{k+1})\).