The exact number of solutions for a class of ordinary differential equations through Morse index computation (Q1184667)

Let \(f:R\to R\) be \(C^ 1\) and \(f'(s)\to f_ \pm\) as \(s\to\pm\infty\). Let \(\{\lambda_ k=k^ 2\}\) be the eigenvalues of \(-v''=\lambda v\) in \((0,\pi)\), \(v(0)=v(\pi)=0\). Using a Morse index computation, the authors show that the \(BVP-u''=f(u)-t\sin x\) in \((0,\pi)\), \(u(0)=u(\pi)=0\) has exactly \(2k\) solutions for large values of \(t\) provided \(f_ - <\lambda_ 1<\lambda_ 2<\cdots<\lambda_ k<f_ +<\lambda_{k+1}\). The same result holds also for the limiting problem. The existence of at least \(2k\) solutions has been proved earlier by \textit{A. C. Lazer} and \textit{P. J. McKenna} [Proc. R. Soc. Edinb., Sect. A 95, 275-283 (1983; Zbl 0533.35037)] and by \textit{B. Ruf} [Nonlinear Anal., Theory Methods Appl. 9, 1325-1330 (1985; Zbl 0626.34017)].