Nodal solutions to Paneitz-type equations

Abstract

On a closed Riemannian manifold $(M^n ,g)$ with a proper isoparametric function $f$ we consider the equation $\Delta^2 u -\alpha \Delta u +\beta u = u^q$, where $\alpha$ and $\beta$ are positive constants satisfying that $\alpha^2 \geq 4 \beta$. We let ${\bf m}$ be the minimum of the dimensions of the focal varieties of $f$ and $q_f = \frac{n-{\bf m}+4}{n-{\bf m}-4}$, $q_f = \infty$ if $n\leq {\bf m}+4$. We prove the existence of infinitely many nodal solutions of the equation assuming that $1<q<q_f$. The solutions are $f$-invariant. To obtain the result, first we prove a $C^0-$estimate for positive $f$-invariant solutions of the equation. Then we prove the existence of mountain pass solutions with arbitrarily large energy.