Monotonicity and symmetry of nonnegative solutions to \(-\Delta u=f(u)\) in half-planes and strips (Q524659)

The paper deals with solutions to the Dirichlet problem \[ \begin{cases} -\Delta u=f(u) &\text{in}\;\mathbb{R}^{_+},\\ u\geq0 &\text{in } \mathbb{R}^{_+},\\ u=0 & \text{on } \partial\mathbb{R}^{_+}. \end{cases} \] The authors prove symmetry and monotonicity properties of the solutions under suitable assumptions on \(f,\) employing rotating and sliding line techniques. The approach adopted works in all the cases \(f(0)<0,\) \(f(0)=0\) or \(f(0)>0.\) Explicit examples are provided showing the sharpness of the assumptions imposed on \(f.\)