On the structure of the solution set of forced pendulum-type equations (Q1817005)

The examined equations are: \(\ddot u(t)+G'(u(t))=h(t)+\lambda\), \(u(t+T)=u(t)\) \(\forall t\in\mathbb{R}\), where \(h\) is \(T\)-periodical, and the potential \(G\in{\mathcal C}^1(\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R})\) and its derivative are bounded and exhibit oscillating behavior. The paper is interested in existence, multiplicity and properties of solutions. The aims are: to extend results valid for periodical \(G\) to a more general class of so-called recurrent functions and a deeper understanding of the solution set for \(\lambda=0\). The notion ``recurrent'' is as follows: let \(G\in{\mathcal C}^1(\mathbb{R},\mathbb{R})\) and \(G\) and \(G'\) be bounded. \(G\) is said to be recurrent, if for every \(\varepsilon>0\) there exists an unbounded set of real numbers \(\tau\) such that \[ \sup_{s\in\mathbb{R}} |G(s+\tau)-G(s)|+\sup_{s\in\mathbb{R}} |G'(s+\tau)-G'(s)|\leq\varepsilon. \] The papers approach is variational by studying the functional \[ {1\over 2}\int^T_0|\dot u|^2dt-\int^T_0 G(u)dt+\int^T_0 hu dt. \] An abstract formulation is applied and in this way the structure of the critical set is better understandable. The cases for zero, non-zero, and a ``small'' mean value of \(h\) are investigated as well. The case of a potential, which is not recurrent but asymptotical in the \({\mathcal C}^1\) sense to a recurrent one is dealt with, too.