Global bifurcation for the Hénon problem

Abstract

We prove the existence of nonradial solutions for the Hénon equation in the ball with any given number of nodal zones, for arbitrary values of the exponent $\alpha$. For sign-changing solutions, the case $\alpha =0$ -- Lane-Emden equation -- is included. The obtained solutions form global continua which branch off from the curve of radial solutions $p\mapsto u_p$, and the number of branching points increases with both the number of nodal zones and the exponent $\alpha$. The proof technique relies on the index of fixed points in cones and provides information on the symmetry properties of the bifurcating solutions and the possible intersection and/or overlapping between different branches, thus allowing to separate them at least in some cases.