Asymptotic bifurcation results for coupled nonlinear wave equations with variable coefficients (Q2189798)

The authors consider coupled nonlinear wave equations with variable coefficients under Sturm-Liouville boundary conditions, where the constant coefficient case is not excluded. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of an asymptotic point of bifurcation for the periodic problem are investigated, in connection with the matrix spectrum. For this, the main tool is a topological degree theory for the class of monotone operators which contains the Leray-Schauder degree, due to \textit{J. Berkovits} and \textit{V. Mustonen} [Differ. Integral Equ. 3, No. 5, 945--963 (1990; Zbl 0724.47024)]. Moreover, an asymptotic bifurcation result for uncoupled systems is also shown. Additionally, a bifurcation point for the given problem is discussed.