A bifurcation theorem for potential operators (Q5903622)

From author's review: A sufficient condition for bifurcation of real solutions of \(G(\lambda,u)=0\) is given in terms of the crossing number of the eigenvalue perturbation of the linearization along the trivial solution (\(\lambda\),0). Whereas in general only an odd crossing number entails bifurcation, for potential operators in a Hilbert space a nonzero crossing number is sufficient for bifurcation. The proof uses a Lyapunov- Schmidt reduction and Conley's index theory.