Nonlinear oscillations in the wave of a string (Q1326599)

The authors investigate the existence of solutions \(u(x,t)\) for a piecewise linear perturbation \(bu^+ - au^-\) of the one-dimensional wave operator \(L \equiv u_{tt} - u_{xx}\) under Dirichlet conditions on the interval \(- \pi/2 < x < \pi/2\), and \(\pi\)-periodic conditions in time: \[ u_{tt} - u_{xx} + bu^+ - au^- = f(x,t) \text{ in } \left( - {\pi \over 2}, {\pi \over 2} \right) \times \mathbb{R},\;\;u \left( \pm {\pi \over 2}, t \right) = 0,\;\;u(x,t + \pi) = u(x,t). \] Here \(bu^+\) is an upward, and \(au^-\) a downward restoring force. Assuming that \(f\) be even in \(x\) and \(t\), and periodic in \(t\) with period \(\pi,\) periodic solutions are searched. With suitable conditions for \(a\) and \(b\) an existence theorem of at least four solutions is demonstrated.