Exact multiplicity and bifurcation curves of positive solutions of a one-dimensional Minkowski-curvature problem and its application (Q1659593)

Consider the eigenvalue problem \[ \begin{gathered} \begin{pmatrix} {-u'\over\sqrt{1-u^{\prime 2}}}\end{pmatrix}'=\lambda f(u),\qquad -L<x<L,\\ u(-L)= u(L)= 0\qquad\text{for }\lambda>0\text{ and }L>0.\end{gathered}\tag{\(*\)} \] The function \(f\) is sufficiently smooth and satisfies \(f(u)>0\) for \(u>0\) and \(f\) does not change sign on \((0,\infty)\). The author studies existence and multiplicity of positive solutions in dependence on \(\lambda\) and \(L\). For any fixed \(L>0\), he defines the bifurcation curve \(S_L\) of \((*)\) by \[ S_L:= \{(\lambda,\| u_\lambda\|_\infty): \lambda>0,\;u_\lambda>0\text{ is solution of }(*)\}, \] he also introduces the bifurcation surface \(\Gamma\) by \[ \Gamma:= \{(\lambda,L,\| u_{\lambda,L}\|_\infty): \lambda,L>0,\;u_{\lambda,L}>0\text{ is solution of }(*)\}. \] The author studies the shape of the bifurcation curves and bifurcation surfaces in dependence on the behavior of \(f''\) and on \[ \lim_{u\to 0^+} {F(u)\over u^2},\quad\text{where }F(u)= \int^u_0 f(t)\,dt. \] The proofs are based on the behavior of the map \[ T_\lambda(\alpha)= \int^\alpha_0\, {\lambda [F(\alpha)-F(u)]+1\over \sqrt{\{\lambda [F(\alpha)- F(u)]+1\}^2}-1}\, du\quad\text{for }u>0. \] Finally, the author applies his result to the case \(f(u)= u^p+ u^q\), where \(q\geq p>0\) satisfy some conditions.