Existence of solutions of a non-linear eigenvalue problem with a variable weight (Q1627712)

The authors consider the minimization problem \[ S_\lambda(a) = \inf \left\{ \int_\Omega a(x,u) |\nabla u|^2 \, dx - \lambda \int_\Omega |u|^2 \, dx:~ u \in H_0^1(\Omega),~ \int_\Omega |u|^q \, dx = 1 \right\}, \] where \(\Omega\) is a smooth bounded domain in \(\mathbb{R}^n\), \(n \geq 4\), \(\lambda \geq 0\), and \(q = \frac{2n}{n-2}\) is the critical Sobolev exponent. The function \(a(x,s)\) is a smooth function and which has a global minimum \(\alpha>0\) at \((x_0,0)\), where \(x_0 \in \Omega\). The main model case for \(a(x,s)\) is \(\alpha + |x|^\beta |s|^k\). Under the assumptions \(\beta=0\) and \(k=0\), \(S_\lambda(a)\) is the classical minimization problem studied in [\textit{H. Brézis} and \textit{L. Nirenberg}, Commun. Pure Appl. Math. 36, 437--477 (1983; Zbl 0541.35029)]. The case \(\lambda=0\) was studied in [\textit{S. Bae} et al., J. Math. Anal. Appl. 396, No. 1, 98--107 (2012; Zbl 1256.49002)], where it was shown what \(S_0 (\alpha + |x|^\beta |u|^k)\) possesses a minimizer only when \(\beta < \frac{kn}{q}\). In the main result of the article, it is proved that \(S_\lambda(\alpha + |x|^\beta |u|^k)\) possesses a minimizer provided \(0<\lambda \leq \alpha \lambda_1(\Omega)\), \(0 \leq k \leq q-2\), and \(\beta > \frac{kn}{q}+2\). The proof follows the general principles of \textit{H. Brézis} and \textit{L. Nirenberg} [Commun. Pure Appl. Math. 36, 437--477 (1983; Zbl 0541.35029)]. The imposed assumptions, their limitations, and corresponding open problems are thoroughly discussed. A generalization of the main result to \(a(x,s)\) in a general form is also given.