Nontrivial solutions of elliptic boundary value problems with resonance at zero

Summary We consider a general nonlinear parabolic BVP (P) on a bounded and smooth domain R_n, the nonlinearity being given by a functionf: . We impose various hypotheses on f: « nonresonance » (with respect to the linearized BVP) at infinity, « nonresonance » or «resonance» at zero. Using an extension of Conley's index theory to noncompact spaces, we prove the existence of equilibria of (P) (i.e. solutions of a corresponding elliptic equation), as well as trajectories joining some of these equilibria. The results obtained generalize earlier results of Amann and Zehnder (who were the first to apply the Conley index to elliptic equations), of Peitgen and Schmitt, and of this author.Dedicated to Professor Jack K. Hale on his 55-th birthdayThis research was supported, in part, by a grant from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (D.F.G.).