A maxmin principle for nonlinear eigenvalue problems with application to a rational spectral problem in fluid-solid vibration. (Q851605)

Nonlinar eigenvalue problems \(T(\lambda )x =0\) are considered, where for any \(\lambda \in J\), \(T(\lambda )\) is a selfadjoint and bounded operator in a real Hilbert space \(H\), \(J\) is a real open (bounded or unbounded) interval. The author studies a situation when the equation \(\langle T(p(x))x,x\rangle =0\) defines implicitly the Rayleigh functional \(p\) on a subset of \(H\setminus \{0\}\). In the case \(T(\lambda )=\lambda I-A\), the functional \(p\) coincides with the usual Rayleigh quotient. A maxmin principle for the Rayleigh functional \(p\) characterizing the \(n\)-th eigenvalue is given. The result is a generalization of the maxmin characterization of R.\ Courant, E.\ Fischer and H.\ Weyl for linear eigenvalue problems. It is applied to a location of eigenvalues of a rational eigenvalue problem governing free vibrations of a tube bundle immersed in a slightly compressible fluid under certain simplifying assumptions.