Vector \(p\)-Laplacian like operators, pseudo-eigenvalues, and bifurcation (Q2467066)

The following second order system for a \(p\)-Laplacian like operator under Dirichlet conditions is studied: \[ (\phi(u'))'+ e(t,u,\lambda)=0,\qquad u(0)=u(T)=0, \] where \(\phi\) satisfies the usual monotonicity conditions for a \(\phi\)-Laplacian. Further, it is assumed that \(\phi\) is asymptotically homogeneous at zero, at infinity or both. It is shown that if the behavior of \(\phi\) near infinity differs in an appropriate way from the behavior near zero, then the problem has nontrivial solutions. Bifurcation at zero and infinity is also considered. Since \(\phi\) is not assumed to be homogeneous, it doesn't have eigenvalues in the usual sense; instead, the points where bifurcation occurs are called pseudo-eigenvalues of the operator \(-(\phi(u'))'\) under Dirichlet conditions. Proofs are based on Leray-Schauder degree and the computation of the Leray-Schauder index at zero and infinity of some appropriate operators.