Variational Methods in Nonlinear Field Equations

The book analyzes the existence of solitons, namely of finite energy solutions of field equations which exhibit stability properties. The book is divided in two parts. In the first part, the authors give an abstract definition of solitary wave and soliton and we develop an abstract existence theory for hylomorphic solitons, namely for those solitons which minimize the energy for a given charge. In the second part, the authors apply this theory to prove the existence of hylomorphic solitons for some classes of field equations (nonlinear Klein-Gordon-Maxwell equations, nonlinear Schrödinger-Maxwell equations, nonlinear beam equation,..). The abstract theory is sufficiently flexible to be applied to other situations, like the existence of vortices. The books is addressed to Mathematicians and Physicists.

Provides existence and stability results for solitary waves, solitons and vortices in variational nonlinear PDE's Theory sufficiently general and flexible to be applied to many other situations Applications to the existence of solitons in the nonlinear beam equation and to the study of vortices Contains a general existence theory for hylomorphic solitons Summarizes the main results obtained in the last 35 years Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Inhalt
1 The general principles.- 2 Solitary waves and solitons: abstract theory.- 3 The nonlinear Schrödinger equation.- 4 The nonlinear Klein-Gordon equation.- 5 The Nonlinear Klein-Gordon-Maxwell equations.- 6 The nonlinear Schrödinger-Maxwell equations.- 7 The nonlinear beam equation.- 8 Vortices.- 9 Appendix.