On topological degree for potential operators of class \((S)_{+}\). (Q1421168)

The Leray--Schauder degree theory for compact vector fields, that is, maps of the form \(\text{id}-f:\overline{\Omega}\subset E\to E\), where \(E\) is a normed space, \(\Omega\) is open and bounded, \(f\) is compact, \(\text{id}\) is the identity map and \(0 \not\in f(\partial \Omega)\) is well-known. This theory was extended by F. Browder to the case \(f\) is a monotone map of class \((S)_{+}\). By using Leray--Schauder degree theory, Rabinowitz proved the existence of multiple solutions for equations involving \(C^{2}\) compact potential vector fields and gave applications to the existence of a third buckled state possessed by a thin elastic shell. Rabinowitz's results were extended by Amann for the case of \(C^{1}\) potential vector fields. In the present paper, in the framework of Hilbert spaces, the authors extend such results to some continuous potential vector fields where \(f\) is of class \(S_{+}\) and give applications to shell buckling.