High multiplicity and complexity of the bifurcation diagrams of large solutions for a class of superlinear indefinite problems (Q2391344)

The authors are concerned with the following problem: \[ \begin{aligned} -u''&=\lambda u+a(t)u^p,\quad t\in(0,1),\\ u(0)&=u(1)=M, \end{aligned} \] where \(M\in(0,\infty]\), \(\lambda\in\mathbb{R}\), and \(p>1\). \(a(t)\) is the symmetric piecewise constant function defined by \[ a(t)= \begin{cases} -c, &\text{if }\, t\in[0,\alpha)\cup(1-\alpha,1],\\ b, &\text{if }\, t\in[\alpha,1-\alpha], \end{cases} \] where \(\alpha\in(0,0.5)\), \(b\geq0\), and \(c>0\). When \(M=\infty\), the solutions are referred to as large solutions. Since the weight function \(a\) may change sign, the problem is said to be an indefinite superlinear problem for \(p>1\). The real parameter \(\lambda\), which may tend to \(-\infty\) plays a key role in the discussion of the existence of solutions. The authors then investigate questions of existence and multiplicity of positive solutions using shooting methods. Oscillating solutions are also proved to exist and some nonexistence of results are provided. The time-map technique is employed and the geometry of the phase plane is depicted. As a result, global bifurcation diagrams of multiple positive solutions are produced.