Periodic orbits of radially symmetric Keplerian-like systems: a topological degree approach (Q927654)

The authors consider a singular second order scalar equation of the form \[ x''+f(t,| x| )x =0, \] \(f:{\mathbb R}\times (0,+\infty) \to {\mathbb R}\) is a \(T\)-periodic function of the first variable. Attention is focused on the existence of solutions s.t. \(x(t)\neq 0\) for all \(t\). After writing the given equation in the form \[ x''=(-h(t,| x| )+e(t)) \frac{x}{| x| }, \] it is assumed that \(\bar e \leq 0\), \(\lim_{r \to +\infty}r^3 h(t,r) =+\infty\) and \(\lim_{r \to +\infty}\frac{h(t,r)}{r} =0,\) uniformly for a.e. \(t\). Under these conditions, it is proved that there exists \(k_1 \geq 1\) s.t., for every integer \(k \geq k_1\), there exists a periodic solution \(x_k(t)\) with minimal period \(kT\) which makes exactly one revolution around the origin in the period time \(kT\). Moreover, \(\lim_{k \to +\infty}(\min | x_k| ) =+\infty\) and \(\lim_{k \to +\infty}\frac{(\min | x_k| )}{(\max | x_k| )} =1.\) Multiplicity results, where the solutions are distinguished by their rotation number, are also given. The proofs are performed in the framework of the Leray-Schauder continuation principle. The crucial estimates are obtained by a careful analysis of the behaviour of the solutions having large angular momentum.