On the asymptotics of nodes of \(L^ 2\)-solutions of Schrödinger equations in dimensions \(\geq 3\) (Q1111757)

Let \(\psi\) \(\not\equiv 0\) be a real valued solution of the Schrödinger equation \((-\Delta +V-E)\psi =0\) in \(\Omega =\{x\in {\mathbb{R}}^ n:\) \(| x| >R\}\), \(n\geq 2\), where \(E<0\) and V is real valued continuous and \(V\to 0\) for \(r\to \infty\). In this paper the asymptotic behaviour of \(\psi\) in relation with its nodal set \({\mathcal N}(\psi)=\{x\in \Omega:\) \(\psi (x)=0\}\) is investigated for \(n\geq 3\). We note that for \(n=2\) the asymptotic behaviour of nodal lines of such solutions has been studied by \textit{M. Hoffmann-Ostenhof} [Math. Z. 198, No.2, 161-179 (1988; Zbl 0627.35024)]. Let D denote an unbounded nodal domain of \(\psi\), i.e. a component of \(\Omega\) \(\setminus {\mathcal N}(\psi)\) and let \(S(r)=\{y\in S^{n-1}:\) ry\(\in D\}\) with \(S^{n-1}\) the unit sphere in \({\mathbb{R}}^ n\) and \(x=ry\) polar coordinates. Under suitable assumptions on V it is shown that for some \(m>0\) \[ \underline{\lim}_{r\to \infty}r^ m\int_{S(r)}\psi^ 2 d\sigma /\int_{S^{n-1}}\psi^ 2 d\sigma >0\quad and \] \[ \underline{\lim}_{r\to \infty}\ln (Volume(D\cap \{| x| <r\}))/\ln r\geq n+1)/2. \] Roughly speaking this means that \(\psi\) does not decay ``too'' fast in its nodal domains, and the nodal domains of \(\psi\) d not become ``too'' narrow for \(r\to \infty\). Results of this type are already non trivial for radial problems with \(\psi\) satisfying non radial boundary conditions on \(\partial \Omega\), or for excited states of the Hydrogen atom, if one considers linear combinations of different \(\ell\)-waves. We mention that recently related results on the behaviour of a local solution of a Schrödinger equation in a neighbourhood of a zero were obtained by the authors [On the local behaviour of nodes of solutions of Schrödinger equations in dimensions \(\geq 3\), submitted for publication].