Evans function for Lax operators with algebraically decaying potentials (Q2499282)

In this work, it is shown that the standard Evans function [\textit{T. Kapitula, B. Sandstede}, Physica D 124, No. 1--3, 58--103 (1998; Zbl 0935.35150); SIAM J. Math. Anal. 33, No. 5, 1117--1143 (2002; Zbl 1092.37048)] \(E(\lambda;\varepsilon)\) may have power and pole singularities at the continuous spectrum, if the AKNS [\textit{M. J. Ablowitz, D. J. Kaup, A. C. Newell} and \textit{H. Segur}, Studies Appl. Math. 53, 249--315 (1974; Zbl 0408.35068)] and [\textit{D. J. Kaup} and \textit{A. C. Newell}, J. Math. Phys. 19, 798--801 (1978; Zbl 0383.35015)] spectral problems have algebraically decaying potentials. Algebraic solitons of integrable nonlinear evolution equations appear to be typical examples of such potentials. The algebraic structure of pole singularities and related embedded eigenvalues is characterized by the renormalized Evans function \(\widehat{E}(\lambda;\varepsilon)\). Branch point and embedded eigenvalue bifurcations occur when nongeneric algebraically decaying potentials (such as algebraic solitons) are perturbed by smooth generic perturbation functions. These bifurcations can be studied using the implicit function theorem applied to the renormalized Evans function \(\widehat{E}(\lambda;\varepsilon)\). The authors found two different types of transformations of algebraically decaying potentials. In the context of the AKNS spectral problem with nonzero boundary conditions, they show that the branch point bifurcation results in either one or two new eigenvalues of the discrete spectrum which pop out from the branch point, depending on the sign of the perturbation function. The underlying algebraic structure of the branch point bifurcation is defined by solutions of a cubic equation along the corresponding sheet of the Riemann surface. In the context of the KN spectral problem with zero boundary conditions, they show that the embedded eigenvalue bifurcation always results in one eigenvalue in the first quadrant of the complex plane. The underlying algebraic structure of the embedded eigenvalue bifurcation is defined by solutions of a quadratic equation. These results of the spectral theory of Lax operators are related to precise implications on the transformation of algebraic solitons in the modified KdV, focusing NLS, derivative NLS, and massive Thirring equations.