On the resonance set and the domain shape for a semilinear equation (Q1191329)

The author investigates the nonlinear Dirichlet problem \(-\Delta u=\alpha u^ +-\beta u^ -\) in \(\Omega\), \(u\mid_{\partial\Omega}=0,\) where \(u^ \pm:=\max\{\pm u,0\}\). Let \(\lambda_{k-1},\lambda_ k,\lambda_{k+1}\) be successive eigenvalues of the linear Dirichlet problem and let \(\lambda_ k\) be simple. By a theorem of L. A. Stuart [internal report] the set \(\Gamma_ k\) of pairs \((\alpha,\beta)\in I\times I\), \(I:=\lambda_{k-1},\lambda_{k+1}\) for which the nonlinear problem has a nontrivial solution may be written as \(\Gamma_ k=\{(\alpha,\eta(\alpha))\mid\) \(\alpha\in J\},\) where \(J\) (open) \(\subset I\) and \(\eta\in C^ 2(J,I)\). Furthermore: \(\eta(\lambda_ k)=\lambda_ k\) and \(\eta'(\lambda_ k)=-\|\psi_ k^ +\|_ 2^ 2/\| \psi_ k^ -\|_ 2^ 2,\) where \(\psi_ k\) is an eigenfunction corresponding to \(\lambda_ k\). The main part of the paper consists of a study of particular sequences of domains \(\Omega_ i\) (like two identical disks connected by a small channel which disappears as \(i\to\infty\)). In the three examples woured out it is observed that \(\eta''(\lambda_ k(\Omega_ i))\) approaches a limit respectively tends to \(\pm\infty\) when \(\lambda_ k(\Omega_ i)\) approaches a simple, respectively, multiple eigenvalue of the limiting region.