On eigenvalue problems with Robin type boundary conditions having indefinite coefficients

Abstract

A Robin type boundary condition with a sign-changing coefficient is treated. First, the associated linear elliptic eigenvalue problem is studied, where the existence of a principal eigenvalue is discussed by the use of a variational approach. Second, the associated semilinear elliptic boundary value problem of logistic type is studied and the one parameter-dependent structure of positive solutions is investigated, where results obtained are due to the construction of suitable super- and subsolutions by using the principal positive eigenfunctions of the linear eigenvalue problem.