Multiple minimal periodic solutions for subquadratic second-order Hamiltonian systems (Q2236710)

The author uses variational methods to show the existence of \(T\)-periodic solutions to the second-order Hamiltonian system \[ \ddot{u}(t) + \nabla V(u(t))=0 ,\quad u\in\mathbb{R}^N , \] where \(V\) is an even potential with quadratic growth at infinity \[ V(x)\leq \frac{m_1}{2}\|x\|^2+ m_2, \] for some \(m_1<\omega^2\) (\(\omega=2\pi/T\)) and \[ \lim_{\|x\|\to 0} \frac{V(x)}{\|x\|^2} <2\omega^2. \] More precisely, the existence of at least one even \((T/2)\)-antiperiodic solution, i.e., \(u(t-T/2)=-u(t)\), of minimal period \(T\) and at least one odd solution of minimal period \(T/2\) is established. To this end orthogonal decompositions of the spaces of odd and even \(T\)-periodic functions into spaces of even \((T/2)\)-anti-periodic and of odd \(T/2\)-periodic functions are used. As a corollary, under suitable conditions on the potential \(V\), periodic solutions for any period \(T>0\) are obtained.