Solutions périodiques d'un système différentiel non linéaire du second ordre avec changement de signe. (Periodic solutions of a nonlinear second order differential system with change of sign) (Q2644822)

The nonlinear differential system \(\ddot x+a(t){\mathcal U}'(x)=f(t)\) is considered, where a: \({\mathbb{R}}\to {\mathbb{R}}\), f: \({\mathbb{R}}\to {\mathbb{R}}^ n\) are supposed T-periodic and \({\mathcal U}: {\mathbb{R}}\to {\mathbb{R}}^ n\) is a convex subquadratic \({\mathcal C}^ 2\) potential. Moreover the function a(t) changes its sign. This last hypothesis is a new case not considered in literature up to now. By making use of a dual variational formulation some results are obtained proving the existence of at least one solution of the assigned problem. In particular, when \(f=0\) there exists a trivial solution (constant solution); in this case conditions ensuring the nontriviality of this solution are obtained.