A mountain pass method for the numerical solution of semilinear wave equations

SummaryIt is well-known that periodic solutions of semilinear wave equations can be obtained as critical points of related functionals. In the situation that we studied, there is usually an obvious solution obtained as a solution of linear problem. We formulate a dual variational problem in such a way that the obvious solution is a local minimum. We then find additional non-obvious solutions via a numerical mountain pass algorithm, based on the theorems of Ambrosetti, Rabinowitz and Ekeland. Numerical results are presented.

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