Existence and multiplicity of positive solutions for the fractional Laplacian under subcritical or critical growth

Abstract: We study a Dirichlet type problem for an equation involving the fractional Laplacian and a reaction term subject to either subcritical or critical growth conditions, depending on a positive parameter. Applying a critical point result of Bonanno, we prove existence of one or two positive solutions as soon as the parameter lies under a (explicitly determined) threshold. As an application, we find two positive solutions for a fractional Brezis-Nirenberg problem.