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Walter Dambrosio

Publications and source records attributed to Walter Dambrosio.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Reparametrizing the relativistic Kepler equation: a bridge to Levi-Civita-type models

We establish a link between different relativistic variants of the Kepler problem. In particular, we show that solutions of the special relativistic model with fixed energy can be reparameterized as solutions of a generalized Kepler equation with an additional $1/r^2$ term in the gravitational potential. This yields a dynamics of the same type as the Levi-Civita correction, up to different coefficients.

math.DS

Bifurcation of closed orbits of Hamiltonian systems with application to geodesics of the Schwarzschild metric

We investigate bifurcation of closed orbits with a fixed energy level for a class of nearly integrable Hamiltonian systems with two degrees of freedom. More precisely, we make a joint use of Moser invariant curve theorem and Poincaré-Birkhoff fixed point theorem to prove that a periodic non-degenerate invariant torus $\mathcal{T}$ of the unperturbed problem gives rise to infinitely many closed orbits, bifurcating from a family of tori accumulating onto $\mathcal{T}$. The required non-degeneracy condition, which is nothing but a reformulation of the usual non-degeneracy condition in the isoenergetic KAM theory, is expressed in terms of the derivative of the apsidal angle with respect to the angular momentum: in this way, tools from the theory of time-maps of nonlinear oscillators can be used to verify it in concrete problems. Applications are given to perturbations of central force problems in the plane, and to equatorial geodesic dynamics for perturbations of the Schwarzschild metric.

math.DS

Prescribed energy periodic solutions of Kepler problems with relativistic corrections

We consider two different relativistic versions of the Kepler problem in the plane: the first one involves the relativistic differential operator, the second one involves a correction for the usual gravitational potential due to Levi-Civita. When a small external perturbation is added into such equations, we investigate the existence of periodic solutions with prescribed energy bifurcating from periodic invariant tori of the unperturbed problems. Our main tool is an abstract bifurcation theory from periodic manifolds developed by Weinstein, which is applied in the case of nearly integrable Hamiltonian systems satisfying the usual KAM isoenergetic non-degeneracy condition.

math.DS

Infinitely many periodic solutions to a Lorentz force equation with singular electromagnetic potential

We consider the Lorentz force equation $$ \frac{d}{dt}\left(\frac{m\dot{x}}{\sqrt{1-|\dot{x}|^{2}/c^{2}}}\right) = q \left(E(t,x) + \dot x \times B(t,x)\right), \qquad x \in \mathbb{R}^3, $$ in the physically relevant case of a singular electric field $E$. Assuming that $E$ and $B$ are $T$-periodic in time and satisfy suitable further conditions, we prove the existence of infinitely many $T$-periodic solutions. The proof is based on a min-max principle of Lusternik-Schrelmann type, in the framework of non-smooth critical point theory. Applications are given to the problem of the motion of a charged particle under the action of a Liénard-Wiechert potential and to the relativistic forced Kepler problem.

math.AP

A Maupertuis-type principle in relativistic mechanics and applications

We provide a Maupertuis-type principle for the following system of ODE, of interest in special relativity: $$ \frac{\rm d}{{\rm d}t}\left(\frac{m\dot{x}}{\sqrt{1-|\dot{x}|^2/c^2}}\right)=\nabla V(x),\qquad x\inΩ\subset \mathbb{R}^n, $$ where $m, c > 0$ and $V: Ω\to \mathbb{R}$ is a function of class $C^1$. As an application, we prove the existence of multiple periodic solutions with prescribed energy for a relativistic $N$-centre type problem in the plane.

math.CA

Periodic solutions to relativistic Kepler problems: a variational approach

We study relativistic Kepler problems in the plane. At first, using non-smooth critical point theory, we show that under a general time-periodic external force of gradient type there are two infinite families of T-periodic solutions, parameterized by their winding number around the singularity: the first family is a sequence of local minima, while the second one comes from a mountain pass-type geometry of the action functional. Secondly, we investigate the minimality of the circular and non-circular periodic solutions of the unforced problem, via Morse index theory and level estimates of the action functional.

math.CA

Periodic perturbations of central force problems and an application to a restricted $3$-body problem

We consider a perturbation of a central force problem of the form \begin{equation*} \ddot x = V'(|x|) \frac{x}{|x|} + \varepsilon \,\nabla_x U(t,x), \quad x \in \mathbb{R}^{2} \setminus \{0\}, \end{equation*} where $\varepsilon \in \mathbb{R}$ is a small parameter, $V\colon (0,+\infty) \to \mathbb{R}$ and $U\colon \mathbb{R} \times (\mathbb{R}^{2} \setminus \{0\}) \to \mathbb{R}$ are smooth functions, and $U$ is $τ$-periodic in the first variable. Based on the introduction of suitable time-maps (the radial period and the apsidal angle) for the unperturbed problem ($\varepsilon=0$) and of an associated non-degeneracy condition, we apply an higher-dimensional version of the Poincaré-Birkhoff fixed point theorem to prove the existence of non-circular $τ$-periodic solutions bifurcating from invariant tori at $\varepsilon=0$. We then prove that this non-degeneracy condition is satisfied for some concrete examples of physical interest (including the homogeneous potential $V(r)=κ/r^α$ for $α\in(-\infty,2)\setminus\{-2,0,1\}$). Finally, an application is given to a restricted $3$-body problem with a non-Newtonian interaction.

math.DS

Unbounded solutions to a system of coupled asymmetric oscillators at resonance

We deal with the following system of coupled asymmetric oscillators \[ \begin{cases} \ddot{x}_1+a_1x_1^+-b_1x^-_1+ϕ_1(x_2)=p_1(t) \\ \ddot{x}_2+a_2\,x_2^+-b_2\,x^-_2+ϕ_2(x_1)=p_2(t) \end{cases} \] where $ϕ_i: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ is locally Lipschitz continuous and bounded, $p_i: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ is continuous and $2π$-periodic and the positive real numbers $a_i, b_i$ satisfy $$ \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{a_i}}+\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{b_i}}=\dfrac{2}{n}, \quad \mbox{ for some } n \in \mathbb{N}. $$ We define a suitable function $L: \mathbb{T}^2 \to \mathbb{R}^2$, appearing as the higher-dimensional generalization of the well known resonance function used in the scalar setting, and we show how unbounded solutions to the system can be constructed whenever $L$ has zeros with a special structure. The proof relies on a careful investigation of the dynamics of the associated (four-dimensional) Poincaré map, in action-angle coordinates.

math.DS

Parabolic orbits in Celestial Mechanics: a functional-analytic approach

We prove the existence of half-entire parabolic solutions, asymptotic to a prescribed central configuration, for the equation \begin{equation*} \ddot{x} = \nabla U(x) + \nabla W(t,x), \qquad x \in \mathbb{R}^{d}, \end{equation*} where $d \geq 2$, $U$ is a positive and positively homogeneous potential with homogeneity degree $-α$ with $α\in\mathopen{]}0,2\mathclose{[}$, and $W$ is a (possibly time-dependent) lower order term, for $\vert x \vert \to +\infty$, with respect to $U$. The proof relies on a perturbative argument, after an appropriate formulation of the problem in a suitable functional space. Applications to several problems of Celestial Mechanics (including the $N$-centre problem, the $N$-body problem and the restricted $(N+H)$-body problem) are given.

math.CA

Unbounded solutions to systems of differential equations at resonance

We deal with a weakly coupled system of ODEs of the type $$ x_j'' + n_j^2 \,x_j + h_j(x_1,\ldots,x_d) = p_j(t), \qquad j=1,\ldots,d, $$ with $h_j$ locally Lipschitz continuous and bounded, $p_j$ continuous and $2π$-periodic, $n_j \in \mathbb{N}$ (so that the system is at resonance). By means of a Lyapunov function approach for discrete dynamical systems, we prove the existence of unbounded solutions, when either global or asymptotic conditions on the coupling terms $h_1,\ldots,h_d$ are assumed.

math.CA

Periodic solutions to a perturbed relativistic Kepler problem

We consider a perturbed relativistic Kepler problem \begin{equation*} \dfrac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d}t}\left(\dfrac{m\dot{x}}{\sqrt{1-|\dot{x}|^2/c^2}}\right)=-α\, \dfrac{x}{|x|^3}+\varepsilon \, \nabla_x U(t,x), \qquad x \in \mathbb{R}^2 \setminus \{0\}, \end{equation*} where $m, α> 0$, $c$ is the speed of light and $U(t,x)$ is a function $T$-periodic in the first variable. For $\varepsilon > 0$ sufficiently small, we prove the existence of $T$-periodic solutions with prescribed winding number, bifurcating from invariant tori of the unperturbed problem.

math.DS

On the minimality of Keplerian arcs with fixed negative energy

We revisit a classical result by Jacobi on the local minimality, as critical points of the corresponding energy functional, of fixed-energy solutions of the Kepler equation joining two distinct points with the same distance from the origin. Our proof relies on the Morse index theorem, together with a characterization of the conjugate points as points of geodesic bifurcation.

math.CA

Parabolic solutions for the planar $N$-centre problem: multiplicity and scattering

For the planar $N$-centre problem $$ \ddot x = - \sum_{i=1}^N \frac{m_i (x-c_i)}{| x - c_i|^{α+2}}, \qquad x \in \mathbb{R}^2 \setminus \{ c_1,\ldots,c_N \}, $$ where $m_i > 0$ for $i=1,\ldots,N$ and $α\in [1,2)$, we prove the existence of entire parabolic trajectories, having prescribed asymptotic directions for $t \to \pm\infty$ and prescribed topological characterization with respect to the set of the centres.

math.CA

Multiple positive solutions to elliptic boundary blow-up problems

We prove the existence of multiple positive radial solutions to the sign-indefinite elliptic boundary blow-up problem \[ \left\{\begin{array}{ll} Δu + \bigl(a^+(\vert x \vert) - μa^-(\vert x \vert)\bigr) g(u) = 0, & \; \vert x \vert < 1, \\ u(x) \to \infty, & \; \vert x \vert \to 1, \end{array} \right. \] where $g$ is a function superlinear at zero and at infinity, $a^+$ and $a^-$ are the positive/negative part, respectively, of a sign-changing function $a$ and $μ> 0$ is a large parameter. In particular, we show how the number of solutions is affected by the nodal behavior of the weight function $a$. The proof is based on a careful shooting-type argument for the equivalent singular ODE problem. As a further application of this technique, the existence of multiple positive radial homoclinic solutions to $$ Δu + \bigl(a^+(\vert x \vert) - μa^-(\vert x \vert)\bigr) g(u) = 0, \qquad x \in \mathbb{R}^N, $$ is also considered.

math.AP

Scattering parabolic solutions for the spatial N-centre problem

For the $N$-centre problem in the three dimensional space, $$ \ddot x = -\sum_{i=1}^{N} \frac{m_i \,(x-c_i)}{\vert x - c_i \vert^{α+2}}, \qquad x \in \mathbb{R}^3 \setminus \{c_1,\ldots,c_N\}, $$ where $N \geq 2$, $m_i > 0$ and $α\in [1,2)$, we prove the existence of entire parabolic trajectories having prescribed asymptotic directions. The proof relies on a variational argument of min-max type. Morse index estimates and regularization techniques are used in order to rule out the possible occurrence of collisions.

math.CA

Asymptotic and chaotic solutions of a singularly perturbed Nagumo-type equation

We deal with the singularly perturbed Nagumo-type equation $$ ε^2 u'' + u(1-u)(u-a(s)) = 0, $$ where $ε> 0$ is a real parameter and $a: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ is a piecewise constant function satisfying $0 < a(s) < 1$ for all $s$. We prove the existence of chaotic, homoclinic and heteroclinic solutions, when $ε$ is small enough. We use a dynamical systems approach, based on the Stretching Along Paths method and on the Conley-Wazewski's method.

math.CA

Highly oscillatory solutions of a Neumann problem for a $p$-laplacian equation

We deal with a boundary value problem of the form $-ε(ϕ_p(εu'))'+a(x)W'(u)=0,\quad u'(0)=0=u'(1),$ where $ϕ_p(s) = \vert s \vert^{p-2} s$ for $s \in \mathbb{R}$ and $p>1$, and $W:[-1,1] \to {\mathbb R}$ is a double-well potential. We study the limit profile of solutions when $ε\to 0^+$ and, conversely, we prove the existence of nodal solutions associated with any admissible limit profile when $ε$ is small enough.

math.CA

Linear and nonlinear eigenvalue problems for Dirac systems in unbounded domains

We first study the linear eigenvalue problem for a planar Dirac system in the open half-line and describe the nodal properties of its solution by means of the rotation number. We then give a global bifurcation result for a planar nonlinear Dirac system in the open half-line. As an application, we provide a global continuum of solutions of the nonlinear Dirac equation which have a special form.

math.CA