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Fritz Gesztesy

Publications and source records attributed to Fritz Gesztesy.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
arXiv2022

Strict domain monotonicity of the principal eigenvalue and a characterization of lower boundedness for the Friedrichs extension of four-coefficient Sturm-Liouville operators

Using the variational characterization of the principal (i.e., smallest) eigenvalue below the essential spectrum of a lower semibounded self-adjoint operator, we prove strict domain monotonicity (with respect to changing the finite interval length) of the principal eigenvalue of the Friedrichs extension $T_F$ of the minimal operator for regular four-coefficient Sturm--Liouville differential expressions. In the more general singular context, these four-coefficient differential expressions act according to \[ τf = \frac{1}{r} \left( - \big(f^{[1]}\big)' + s f^{[1]} + qf\right)\,\text{ with $f^{[1]} = p [f' + s f]$ on $(a,b) \subseteq \mathbb{R}$}, \] where the coefficients $p$, $q$, $r$, $s$ are real-valued and Lebesgue measurable on $(a,b)$, with $p > 0$, $r>0$ a.e.\ on $(a,b)$, and $p^{-1}$, $q$, $r$, $s \in L^1_{loc}((a,b); dx)$, and $f$ is supposed to satisfy \[ f \in AC_{loc}((a,b)), \; p[f' + s f] \in AC_{loc}((a,b)). \] This setup is sufficiently general so that $τ$ permits certain distributional potential coefficients $q$, including potentials in $H^{-1}_{loc}((a,b))$. As a consequence of the strict domain monotonicity of the principal eigenvalue of the Friedrichs extension in the regular case, and on the basis of oscillation theory in the singular context, in our main result, we characterize all lower bounds of $T_F$ as those $λ\in \mathbb{R}$ for which the differential equation $τu = λu$ has a strictly positive solution $u > 0$ on $(a,b)$.

math.CA↗
arXiv2022

Effective computation of traces, determinants, and $ζ$-functions for Sturm-Liouville operators

The principal aim in this paper is to develop an effective and unified approach to the computation of traces of resolvents (and resolvent differences), Fredholm determinants, $ζ$-functions, and $ζ$-function regularized determinants associated with linear operators in a Hilbert space. In particular, we detail the connection between Fredholm and $ζ$-function regularized determinants. Concrete applications of our formalism to general (i.e., three-coefficient) regular Sturm-Liouville operators on compact intervals with various (separated and coupled) boundary conditions, and Schrödinger operators on a half-line, are provided and further illustrated with an array of examples.

math.SP↗
arXiv2022

Spectral zeta-Functions and zeta-Regularized Functional Determinants for Regular Sturm-Liouville Operators

The principal aim in this paper is to employ a recently developed unified approach to the computation of traces of resolvents and $ζ$-functions to efficiently compute values of spectral $ζ$-functions at positive integers associated to regular (three-coefficient) self-adjoint Sturm--Liouville differential expressions $τ$. Depending on the underlying boundary conditions, we express the $ζ$-function values in terms of a fundamental system of solutions of $τy = z y$ and their expansions about the spectral point $z=0$. Furthermore, we give the full analytic continuation of the $ζ$-function through a Liouville transformation and provide an explicit expression for the $ζ$-regularized functional determinant in terms of a particular set of this fundamental system of solutions. An array of examples illustrating the applicability of these methods is provided, including regular Schrödinger operators with zero, piecewise constant, and a linear potential on a compact interval.

math.SP↗
arXiv2021

Bessel-Type Operators and a refinement of Hardy's inequality

The principal aim of this paper is to employ Bessel-type operators in proving the inequality \begin{align*} \int_0^πdx \, |f'(x)|^2 \geq \dfrac{1}{4}\int_0^πdx \, \dfrac{|f(x)|^2}{\sin^2 (x)}+\dfrac{1}{4}\int_0^πdx \, |f(x)|^2,\quad f\in H_0^1 ((0,π)), \end{align*} where both constants $1/4$ appearing in the above inequality are optimal. In addition, this inequality is strict in the sense that equality holds if and only if $f \equiv 0$. This inequality is derived with the help of the exactly solvable, strongly singular, Dirichlet-type Schrödinger operator associated with the differential expression \begin{align*} τ_s=-\dfrac{d^2}{dx^2}+\dfrac{s^2-(1/4)}{\sin^2 (x)}, \quad s \in [0,\infty), \; x \in (0,π). \end{align*} The new inequality represents a refinement of Hardy's classical inequality \begin{align*} \int_0^πdx \, |f'(x)|^2 \geq \dfrac{1}{4}\int_0^πdx \, \dfrac{|f(x)|^2}{x^2}, \quad f\in H_0^1 ((0,π)), \end{align*} it also improves upon one of its well-known extensions in the form \begin{align*} \int_0^πdx \, |f'(x)|^2 \geq \dfrac{1}{4}\int_0^πdx \, \dfrac{|f(x)|^2}{d_{(0,π)}(x)^2}, \quad f\in H_0^1 ((0,π)), \end{align*} where $d_{(0,π)}(x)$ represents the distance from $x \in (0,π)$ to the boundary $\{0,π\}$ of $(0,π)$.

math.SP↗
arXiv2021

On domain properties of Bessel-type operators

Motivated by a recent study of Bessel operators in connection with a refinement of Hardy's inequality involving $1/\sin^2(x)$ on the finite interval $(0,π)$, we now take a closer look at the underlying Bessel-type operators with more general inverse square singularities at the interval endpoints. More precisely, we consider quadratic forms and operator realizations in $L^2((a,b); dx)$ associated with differential expressions of the form \[ ω_{s_a} = - \frac{d^2}{dx^2} + \frac{s_a^2 - (1/4)}{(x-a)^2}, \quad s_a \in \mathbb{R}, \; x \in (a,b), \] and \begin{align*} τ_{s_a,s_b} = - \frac{d^2}{dx^2} + \frac{s_a^2 - (1/4)}{(x-a)^2} + \frac{s_b^2 - (1/4)}{(x-b)^2} + q(x), \quad x \in (a,b),& \\ s_a, s_b \in [0,\infty), \; q \in L^{\infty}((a,b); dx), \; q \text{ real-valued~a.e.~on $(a,b)$,}& \end{align*} where $(a,b) \subset \mathbb{R}$ is a bounded interval. As an explicit illustration we describe the Krein-von Neumann extension of the minimal operator corresponding $ω_{s_a}$ and $τ_{s_a,s_b}$.

math.CA↗
arXiv2021

The Jacobi operator and its Donoghue $m$-functions

In this paper we construct Donoghue $m$-functions for the Jacobi differential operator in $L^2\big((-1,1); (1-x)^α (1+x)^β dx\big)$, associated to the differential expression \begin{align*} \begin{split} τ_{α,β} = - (1-x)^{-α} (1+x)^{-β}(d/dx) \big((1-x)^{α+ 1}(1+x)^{β+ 1}\big) (d/dx),& \\ x \in (-1,1), \; α, β\in \mathbb{R}, \end{split} \end{align*} whenever at least one endpoint, $x=\pm 1$, is in the limit circle case. In doing so, we provide a full treatment of the Jacobi operator's $m$-functions corresponding to coupled boundary conditions whenever both endpoints are in the limit circle case, a topic not covered in the literature.

math.CA↗
arXiv2021

On essential self-adjointness of singular Sturm-Liouville operators

Considering singular Sturm--Liouville differential expressions of the type \[ τ_α = -(d/dx)x^α(d/dx) + q(x), \quad x \in (0,b), \; α\in \mathbb{R}, \] we employ some Sturm comparison-type results in the spirit of Kurss to derive criteria for $τ_α$ to be in the limit point and limit circle case at $x=0$. More precisely, if $α\in \mathbb{R}$ and for $0 < x$ sufficiently small, \[ q(x) \geq [(3/4)-(α/2)]x^{α-2}, \] or, if $α\in (-\infty,2)$ and there exist $N\in\mathbb{N}$, and $\varepsilon>0$ such that for $0<x$ sufficiently small, \begin{align*} &q(x)\geq[(3/4)-(α/2)]x^{α-2} - (1/2) (2 - α) x^{α-2} \sum_{j=1}^{N}\prod_{\ell=1}^{j}[\ln_{\ell}(x)]^{-1} \\ &\quad\quad\quad +[(3/4)+\varepsilon] x^{α-2}[\ln_{1}(x)]^{-2}. \end{align*} then $τ_α$ is nonoscillatory and in the limit point case at $x=0$. Here iterated logarithms for $0 < x$ sufficiently small are of the form, \[ \ln_1(x) = |\ln(x)| = \ln(1/x), \quad \ln_{j+1}(x) = \ln(\ln_j(x)), \quad j \in \mathbb{N}. \] Analogous results are derived for $τ_α$ to be in the limit circle case at $x=0$. We also discuss a multi-dimensional application to partial differential expressions of the type \[ - {\rm div} |x|^α \nabla + q(|x|), \quad α\in \mathbb{R}, \; x \in B_n(0;R)\backslash\{0\}, \] with $B_n(0;R)$ the open ball in $\mathbb{R}^n$, $n\in \mathbb{N}$, $n \geq 2$, centered at $x=0$ of radius $R \in (0, \infty)$.

math.CA↗
arXiv2021

On critical dipoles in dimensions $n\geq 3$

We reconsider generalizations of Hardy's inequality corresponding to the case of (point) dipole potentials $V_γ(x) = γ(u, x) |x|^{-3}$, $x \in \mathbb{R}^n \backslash \{0\}$, $γ\in [0,\infty)$, $u \in \mathbb{R}^n$, $|u|=1$, $n \in \mathbb{N}$, $n \geq 3$. More precisely, for $n \geq 3$, we provide an alternative proof of the existence of a critical dipole coupling constant $γ_{c,n} > 0$, such that \begin{align*} &\text{for all $γ\in [0,γ_{c,n}]$, and all $u \in \mathbb{R}^n$, $|u|=1$,} \\ &\quad \int_{\mathbb{R}^n} d^n x \, |(\nabla f)(x)|^2 \geq \pm γ\int_{\mathbb{R}^n} d^n x \, (u, x) |x|^{-3} |f(x)|^2, \quad f \in D^1(\mathbb{R}^n). \end{align*} with $D^1(\mathbb{R}^n)$ denoting the completion of $C_0^{\infty}(\mathbb{R}^n)$ with respect to the norm induced by the gradient. Here $γ_{c,n}$ is sharp, that is, the largest possible such constant, and we discuss a numerical scheme for its computation. Moreover, we discuss upper and lower bounds for $γ_{c,n} > 0$. We also consider the case of multicenter dipole interactions with dipoles centered on an infinite discrete set.

math.AP↗
arXiv2021

Donoghue $m$-functions for singular Sturm--Liouville operators

Let $\dot A$ be a densely defined, closed, symmetric operator in the complex, separable Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$ with equal deficiency indices and denote by $\mathcal{N}_i = \ker \big(\big(\dot A\big)^* - i I_{\mathcal{H}}\big)$, $\dim \, (\mathcal{N}_i)=k\in \mathbb{N} \cup \{\infty\}$, the associated deficiency subspace of $\dot A$ . If $A$ denotes a self-adjoint extension of $\dot A$ in $\mathcal{H}$, the Donoghue $m$-operator $M_{A,\mathcal{N}_i}^{Do} (\, \cdot \,)$ in $\mathcal{N}_i$ associated with the pair $(A,\mathcal{N}_i)$ is given by \[ M_{A,\mathcal{N}_i}^{Do}(z)=zI_{\mathcal{N}_i} + (z^2+1) P_{\mathcal{N}_i} (A - z I_{\mathcal{H}})^{-1} P_{\mathcal{N}_i} \big\vert_{\mathcal{N}_i}\,, \quad z\in \mathbb{C} \backslash \mathbb{R}, \] with $I_{\mathcal{N}_i}$ the identity operator in $\mathcal{N}_i$, and $P_{\mathcal{N}_i}$ the orthogonal projection in $\mathcal{H}$ onto $\mathcal{N}_i$. Assuming the standard local integrability hypotheses on the coefficients $p, q,r$, we study all self-adjoint realizations corresponding to the differential expression \[ τ=\frac{1}{r(x)}\left[-\frac{d}{dx}p(x)\frac{d}{dx} + q(x)\right] \, \text{ for a.e. $x\in(a,b) \subseteq \mathbb{R}$,} \] in $L^2((a,b); rdx)$, and, as the principal aim of this paper, systematically construct the associated Donoghue $m$-functions (resp., $2 \times 2$ matrices) in all cases where $τ$ is in the limit circle case at least at one interval endpoint $a$ or $b$.

math.SP↗
arXiv2021

On Absence of Threshold Resonances for Schrodinger and Dirac Operators

Using a unified approach employing a homogeneous Lippmann-Schwinger-type equation satisfied by resonance functions and basic facts on Riesz potentials, we discuss the absence of threshold resonances for Dirac and Schrodinger operators with sufficiently short-range interactions in general space dimensions. More specifically, assuming a sufficient power law decay of potentials, we derive the absence of zero-energy resonances for massless Dirac operators in space dimensions $n \geq 3$, the absence of resonances at $\pm m$ for massive Dirac operators (with mass $m > 0$) in dimensions $n \geq 5$, and recall the well-known case of absence of zero-energy resonances for Schrödinger operators in dimension $n \geq 5$.

math.SP↗
arXiv2021

The limiting absorption principle for massless Dirac operators, properties of spectral shift functions, and an application to the Witten index of non-Fredholm operators

We derive a limiting absorption principle on any compact interval in $\mathbb{R} \backslash \{0\}$ for the free massless Dirac operator, $H_0 = α\cdot (-i \nabla)$ in $[L^2(\mathbb{R}^n)]^N$, $n \geq 2$, $N=2^{\lfloor(n+1)/2\rfloor}$, and then prove the absence of singular continuous spectrum of interacting massless Dirac operators $H = H_0 +V$, where $V$ decays like $O(|x|^{-1 - \varepsilon})$. Expressing the spectral shift function $ξ(\,\cdot\,; H,H_0)$ as normal boundary values of regularized Fredholm determinants, we prove that for sufficiently decaying $V$, $ξ(\,\cdot\,;H,H_0) \in C((-\infty,0) \cup (0,\infty))$, and that the left and right limits at zero, $ξ(0_{\pm}; H,H_0)$, exist. Introducing the non-Fredholm operator $\boldsymbol{D}_{\boldsymbol{A}} = \frac{d}{dt} + \boldsymbol{A}$ in $L^2\big(\mathbb{R};[L^2(\mathbb{R}^n)]^N\big)$, where $\boldsymbol{A} = \boldsymbol{A_-} + \boldsymbol{B}$, $\boldsymbol{A_-}$, and $\boldsymbol{B}$ are generated in terms of $H, H_0$ and $V$, via $A(t) = A_- + B(t)$, $A_- = H_0$, $B(t)=b(t) V$, $t \in \mathbb{R}$, assuming $b$ is smooth, $b(-\infty) = 0$, $b(+\infty) = 1$, and introducing $\boldsymbol{H_1} = \boldsymbol{D}_{\boldsymbol{A}}^{*} \boldsymbol{D}_{\boldsymbol{A}}$, $\boldsymbol{H_2} = \boldsymbol{D}_{\boldsymbol{A}} \boldsymbol{D}_{\boldsymbol{A}}^{*}$, one of the principal results in this manuscript expresses the $k$th resolvent regularized Witten index $W_{k,r}(\boldsymbol{D}_{\boldsymbol{A}})$ ($k \in \mathbb{N}$, $k \geq \lceil n/2 \rceil$) in terms of spectral shift functions as \[ W_{k,r}(\boldsymbol{D}_{\boldsymbol{A}}) = ξ(0_+; \boldsymbol{H_2}, \boldsymbol{H_1}) = [ξ(0_+;H,H_0) + ξ(0_-;H,H_0)]/2. \] Here $L^2(\mathbb{R};\mathcal{H}) = \int_{\mathbb{R}}^{\oplus} dt \, \mathcal{H}$ and $\boldsymbol{T} = \int_{\mathbb{R}}^{\oplus} dt \, T(t)$ abbreviate direct integrals.

math.SP↗
arXiv2021

A survey of some norm inequalities

We survey some classical norm inequalities of Hardy, Kallman, Kato, Kolmogorov, Landau, Littlewood, and Rota of the type \[ \|A f\|_{\mathcal{X}}^2 \leq C \|f\|_{\mathcal{X}} \big\|A^2 f\big\|_{\mathcal{X}}, \quad f \in dom\big(A^2\big), \] and recall that under exceedingly stronger hypotheses on the operator $A$ and/or the Banach space $\mathcal{X}$, the optimal constant $C$ in these inequalities diminishes from $4$ (e.g., when $A$ is the generator of a $C_0$ contraction semigroup on a Banach space $\mathcal{X}$) all the way down to $1$ (e.g., when $A$ is a symmetric operator on a Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$). We also survey some results in connection with an extension of the Hardy-Littlewood inequality involving quadratic forms as initiated by Everitt.

math.FA↗
arXiv2020

The product formula for regularized Fredholm determinants

For trace class operators $A, B \in \mathcal{B}_1(\mathcal{H})$ ($\mathcal{H}$ a complex, separable Hilbert space), the product formula for Fredholm determinants holds in the familiar form \[ {\det}_{\mathcal{H}} ((I_{\mathcal{H}} - A) (I_{\mathcal{H}} - B)) = {\det}_{\mathcal{H}} (I_{\mathcal{H}} - A) {\det}_{\mathcal{H}} (I_{\mathcal{H}} - B). \] When trace class operators are replaced by Hilbert--Schmidt operators $A, B \in \mathcal{B}_2(\mathcal{H})$ and the Fredholm determinant ${\det}_{\mathcal{H}}(I_{\mathcal{H}} - A)$, $A \in \mathcal{B}_1(\mathcal{H})$, by the 2nd regularized Fredholm determinant ${\det}_{\mathcal{H},2}(I_{\mathcal{H}} - A) = {\det}_{\mathcal{H}} ((I_{\mathcal{H}} - A) \exp(A))$, $A \in \mathcal{B}_2(\mathcal{H})$, the product formula must be replaced by \[ {\det}_{\mathcal{H},2} ((I_{\mathcal{H}} - A) (I_{\mathcal{H}} - B)) = {\det}_{\mathcal{H},2} (I_{\mathcal{H}} - A) {\det}_{\mathcal{H},2} (I_{\mathcal{H}} - B) \exp(- {\rm tr}(AB)). \] The product formula for the case of higher regularized Fredholm determinants ${\det}_{\mathcal{H},k}(I_{\mathcal{H}} - A)$, $A \in \mathcal{B}_k(\mathcal{H})$, $k \in \mathbb{N}$, $k \geq 2$, does not seem to be easily accessible and hence this note aims at filling this gap in the literature.

math.SP↗
arXiv2020

Non-self-adjoint operators, infinite determinants, and some applications

We study various spectral theoretic aspects of non-self-adjoint operators. Specifically, we consider a class of factorable non-self-adjoint perturbations of a given unperturbed non-self-adjoint operator and provide an in-depth study of a variant of the Birman-Schwinger principle as well as local and global Weinstein-Aronszajn formulas. Our applications include a study of suitably symmetrized (modified) perturbation determinants of Schrödinger operators in dimensions n=1,2,3 and their connection with Krein's spectral shift function in two- and three-dimensional scattering theory. Moreover, we study an appropriate multi-dimensional analog of the celebrated formula by Jost and Pais that identifies Jost functions with suitable Fredholm (perturbation) determinants and hence reduces the latter to simple Wronski determinants.

math.SP↗
arXiv2020

On Factorizations of Analytic Operator-Valued Functions and Eigenvalue Multiplicity Questions

We study several natural multiplicity questions that arise in the context of the Birman-Schwinger principle applied to non-self-adjoint operators. In particular, we re-prove (and extend) a recent result by Latushkin and Sukhtyaev by employing a different technique based on factorizations of analytic operator-valued functions due to Howland. Factorizations of analytic operator-valued functions are of particular interest in themselves and again we re-derive Howland's results and subsequently extend them. Considering algebraic multiplicities of finitely meromorphic operator-valued functions, we recall the notion of the index of a finitely meromorphic operator-valued function and use that to prove an analog of the well-known Weinstein-Aronszajn formula relating algebraic multiplicities of the underlying unperturbed and perturbed operators. Finally, we consider pairs of projections for which the difference belongs to the trace class and relate their Fredholm index to the index of the naturally underlying Birman-Schwinger operator.

math.SP↗
arXiv2020

A Sequence of Weighted Birman-Hardy-Rellich Inequalities with Logarithmic Refinements

The principal aim of this paper is to extend Birman's sequence of integral inequalities originally obtained in 1961, and containing Hardy's and Rellich's inequality as special cases, to a sequence of inequalities that incorporates power weights on either side and logarithmic refinements on the right-hand side of the inequality as well. Our new technique of proof for this sequence of inequalities relies on a combination of transforms originally due to Hartman and Müller-Pfeiffer. The results obtained considerably improve on prior results in the literature.

math.CA↗
arXiv2020

On self-adjoint boundary conditions for singular Sturm-Liouville operators bounded from below

We extend the classical boundary values \begin{align*} & g(a) = - W(u_{a}(λ_0,.), g)(a) = \lim_{x \downarrow a} \frac{g(x)}{\hat u_{a}(λ_0,x)}, \\ &g^{[1]}(a) = (p g')(a) = W(\hat u_{a}(λ_0,.), g)(a) = \lim_{x \downarrow a} \frac{g(x) - g(a) \hat u_{a}(λ_0,x)}{u_{a}(λ_0,x)} \end{align*} for regular Sturm-Liouville operators associated with differential expressions of the type $τ= r(x)^{-1}[-(d/dx)p(x)(d/dx) + q(x)]$ for a.e. $x\in[a,b] \subset \mathbb{R}$, to the case where $τ$ is singular on $(a,b) \subseteq \mathbb{R}$ and the associated minimal operator $T_{min}$ is bounded from below. Here $u_a(λ_0, \cdot)$ and $\hat u_a(λ_0, \cdot)$ denote suitably normalized principal and nonprincipal solutions of $τu = λ_0 u$ for appropriate $λ_0 \in \mathbb{R}$, respectively. We briefly discuss the singular Weyl-Titchmarsh-Kodaira $m$-function and finally illustrate the theory in some detail with the examples of the Bessel, Legendre, and Kummer (resp., Laguerre) operators.

math.SP↗