Rotating modes in the Frenkel-Kontorova model with periodic interaction potential (Q977934)

The paper deals with the Frenkel-Kontorova model \[ \beta \ddot{\phi_j}+ \dot{\phi_j} + \sin \phi_j = K[\sin (\phi_{j-1} - \phi_j) -\sin (\phi_{j} - \phi_{j+1})] + F_j \] with periodic boundary conditions \[ \phi_{j+N} (t) = \phi(t), \quad j \in \mathbb{Z}, \;t \in \mathbb{R,} \] where \(\phi_j\) describes the phase of the \(j\)-th rotator, \(\beta > 0\) is the dimensionless measure of mass, \(K\) indicates the coupling strength and \(F_j \geq 0\) denotes the constant external driving force. \(N\geq 3\) represents the number of the rotators and \(F_{j+N} = F_j, \;j \in \mathbb{Z}.\) Assuming \(0< F_j < 1\) for \(j=2,\dots,N\) and \(\sum_{j=1}^{N} F_j >N,\) and employing a homotopy argument and the Leray-Schauder degree, the author proves that the previous boundary value problem admits rotating oscillating solutions. It is also discussed a model with strictly convex potentials. In this case, the nonexistence of rotating modes is proved.