Eigenvalues for Radially Symmetric Fully Nonlinear Operators

Abstract

In this paper we present an elementary theory about the existence of eigenvalues for fully nonlinear radially symmetric 1-homogeneous operators. A general theory for first eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of 1-homogeneous fully nonlinear operators exists in the framework of viscosity solutions. Here we want to show that for the radially symmetric operators or in the one dimensional case a much simpler theory, based on ode and degree theory arguments, can be established. We obtain the complete set of eigenvalues and eigenfunctions characterized by the number of zeroes.