Eigencurves for linear elliptic equations

Abstract

This paper provides results forvariational eigencurvesassociated with self-adjoint linear elliptic boundary value problems. The elliptic problems are treated as a general two-parameter eigenproblem for a triple (a,b,m) of continuous symmetric bilinear forms on a real separable Hilbert spaceV.Geometric characterizationsof eigencurves associated with (a,b,m) are obtained and are based on their variational characterizations described here. Continuity, differentiability, as well as asymptotic, results for these eigencurves are proved. Finally, two-parameter Robin–Steklov eigenproblems are treated to illustrate the theory.