A nonlinear eigenvalue problem in \(\mathbb{R}\) and multiple solutions of nonlinear Schrödinger equation. (Q1405962)

Consider the nonlinear Sturm-Liouville eigenvalue problem \[ u''-Q(x)u+\lambda(Mu+f(u))=0,\quad x\in\mathbb R,\quad \lim_{| x| \to\infty}u(x)=\lim_{| x| \to\infty}u'(x)=0, \] where the potential \(Q\) is positive and coercive, the function \(f(s)\) behaves like \(s^p,p>1\), \(M\) is positive constant and \(\lambda\) is a positive parameter. When the domain is a bounded interval, Rabinowitz's global bifurcation theory can be applied to this problem and yields the existence of unbounded branches of nontrivial solutions. Even more, Rabinowitz proved that the branches bend back. This fact implies a multiplicity result for the solutions of a related nonlinear Schrödinger equation. Here, the authors prove that this result holds true when the domain is \(\mathbb R\). The main point of the article is the proof that the branches bend back, here the noncompactness of \(\mathbb R\) poses a difficulty.