Stable transition layers in a balanced bistable equation with degeneracy (Q1877859)

The stationary problem \(-\epsilon^2u_{xx}=u(\alpha(x)^2-u^2)\) in \((0,1)\) with \(u_x(0)=u_x(1)=0\) is considered for obtaining a stable solution with transition layers by a sub-supersolution method of Brézis and Nirenberg. The function \(\alpha\) is positive and is allowed to degenerate at where \(\alpha\) takes its local minimum. A stable solution is constructed, which has exactly one layer near the interval where \(\alpha\) degenerates.