A new generalization of Browder's degree

Abstract

A new generalization of the Browder’s degree for mappings of the type ${\left(S\right)}_{+}$ is presented. The main idea is rooted in the observation that the Browder’s degree remains unchanged for mappings of the form $A:Y\to X^{\ast }$, where $Y$ is a reflexive uniformly convex Banach space continuously embedded in the Banach space $X$. The advantage of the suggested degree lies in the simplicity it provides for the calculations of degree associated to nonlinear operators. An application from the theory of phase transition in liquid crystals is presented for which the suggested degree has been successfully applied.