Bifurcation from infinity and multiplicity of solutions for nonlinear periodic boundary value problems

Abstract

We are concerned with multiplicity and bifurcation results for solutions of nonlinear second order diff erential equations with general linear part and periodic boundary conditions. We impose asymptotic conditions on the nonlinearity and let the parameter vary. We then proceed to establish a priori estimates and prove multiplicity results (for large-norm solutions) when the parameter belongs to a (nontrivial) continuum of real numbers. Our results extend and complement those in the literature. The proofs are based on degree theory, continuation methods, and bifurcation from infinity techniques.