Multiple solutions to the nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation with a partial confinement

Abstract

We consider multiple solutions to the nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation (NLS) with a partial confinement, which is physically relevant to dynamics of the Bose-Einstein condensate. Our study not only verifies the existence of positive ground state solutions and the nonexistence of least energy sign-changing solutions but also sheds light on the symmetry associated with these solutions. A novel finding is the existence of saddle type nodal solutions with their nodal domains intersecting at the origin. Furthermore, we have developed some innovative techniques such as the method of moving planes and the Hopf lemma for nonlinear Schr\"odinger equations with partial confinement.