Delay differential equations on manifolds and applications to motion problems for forced constrained systems (Q1048744)

The authors continue their study initiated in [J. Differ. Equations 233, No.~2, 404--416 (2007; Zbl 1118.34066)] and [J. Differ. Equations 246, No.~4, 1354--1362 (2009; Zbl 1167.34030)] on delay \(T\)-periodic differential equations on compact manifolds. They prove a global bifurcation result for \(T\)-periodic solutions of the delay \(T\)-periodic differential equation \[ x'(t)=\lambda f(t,x(t),x(t-1)) \] on a smooth manifold. The approach is based on the asymptotic fixed point index theory for \(C^1\) maps due to Eells-Fournier and Nussbaum. As a consequence an extension of the results in the above mentioned papers is obtained. Finally, applying the main results, they prove the existence of forced oscillations of motion problems on topologically nontrivial compact constraints.