Mathematics

Given a compact closed surface $\\\\Sig$, we consider the {\\\\em generalized Toda} system of equations on $\\\\Sig$: $- \\\\D u_i = \\\\sum_{j=1}^2 \\\\rho_j a_{ij} \\\\left( \\\\frac{h_j e^{u_j}}{\\\\int_\\\\Sig h_j e^{u_j} dV_g} - 1 \\\\right)$ for $i = 1, 2$, where $\\\\rho_1, \\\\rho_2$ are real parameters and $h_1, h_2$ are smooth positive functions. Exploiting the variational structure of the problem and using a new minimax scheme we prove existence of solutions for generic values of $\\\\rho_1$ and for $\\\\rho_2 < 4 \\\\pi$.