A generalized min-max theorem for functionals of strongly indefinite sign (Q2248847)

The author consider solutions of the stationary nonlinear Schrodinger equation with periodic coefficients both in the linear and nonlinear terms. The solutions are set in the energy space \(H^1(\mathbb{R}^N)\) and the nonlinearity has the exponent \(1+\sigma\) where \(\sigma > 0\) and \(N \geq 1\). Beside the existence of multiple solutions for a fixed value of the eigenvalue parameter, the author is interested in the behavior of these solutions as the eigenvalue parameter varies inside a spectral gap of the linearized operator. Existence of multiple orbits of solutions is derived and the bifurcation of solutions when the eigenvalue parameter approaches the spectral band edge is studied. Using the corresponding energy function, the author derives a new variational characterization of multiple critical levels of such functions. One main advantage of the variational characterization is a multiplicity result telling us something about the number of critical points with energies below the given level of energy, even if some energy levels coincide. Another advantage is the presentation of results in an abstract setting that is suitable for other problems. In particular, the author mentions problems related to the Coulomb potential.