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Jim Agler

Publications and source records attributed to Jim Agler.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2025

Boundary behavior of functions in the Schur-Agler class of the polydisc

We describe a generalization of the notion of a Hilbert space model of a function $\varphi$ in the Schur-Agler class of the polydisc. This generalization is well adapted to the investigation of boundary behavior of $\varphi$ at a mild singularity $\tau$ on the $d$-torus. We prove the existence of a generalized model with an enhanced continuity property at such a singularity $\tau$. We use this result to prove the directional differentiability of a function $\varphi$ in the Schur-Agler class at a singular point on the $d$-torus for which the Carath\'eodory condition holds and to calculate the corresponding directional derivative. The results of this paper extend to the polydisc $\mathbb{D}^d$ results of Agler, McCarthy, Tully-Doyle and Young which generalized to the bidisc the classical Julia-Wolff-Carath\'{e}odory theorem about analytic self-maps of $\mathbb{D}$.

math.CV↗
arXiv2025

Function theory on the annulus in the dp-norm

In this paper we shall use realization theory to prove new results about a class of holomorphic functions on an annulus \[R_\delta \stackrel{\rm def}{=} \{z \in \mathbb{C}: \delta <|z|<1\},\] where $0<\delta<1$. The class of functions in question arises in the early work of R. G. Douglas and V. I. Paulsen on the rational dilation of a Hilbert space operator $T$ to a normal operator with spectrum in $\partial R_\delta$. Their work suggested the following norm $\|\cdot\|_{\mathrm{dp}}$ on the space $\mathrm{Hol}(R_\delta)$ of holomorphic functions on $R_\delta$, \[ \|\phi\|_{\mathrm{dp}} \stackrel{\rm def}{=} \sup\{ \|\phi(T)\|: \|T\|\leq 1, \|T^{-1} \|\leq 1/\delta \ \text{and} \ \sigma(T)\subseteq R_\delta\}.\] By analogy with the classical Schur class of holomorphic functions $\mathcal{S} $ with supremum norm at most $1$ on the disc $\mathbb{D}$, it is natural to consider the dp-Schur class $\mathcal{S}_\mathrm{dp}$ of holomorphic functions of dp-norm at most $1$ on $R_\delta$. Our central result is a Pick interpolation theorem for functions in $\mathcal{S}_\mathrm{dp}$ that is analogous to Abrahamse's Interpolation Theorem for bounded holomorphic functions on a multiply-connected domain. For a tuple $\lambda=(\lambda_1,\dots,\lambda_n)$ of distinct interpolation nodes in $R_\delta$, we introduce a special set $\mathcal{G}_{\mathrm {dp}}(\lambda)$ of positive definite $n\times n$ matrices, which we call DP Szeg\H{o} kernels. The DP Pick problem $\lambda_j \mapsto z_j, j=1,\dots,n$, is shown to be solvable if and only if, \[ [(1-\bar z_i z_j)g_{ij}] \ge 0 \; \text{ for all}\; g \in \mathcal{G}_{\mathrm {dp}} (\lambda).\] We prove further that a solvable DP Pick problem has a solution which is a rational function.

math.CV↗
arXiv2024

Function theory in the bfd-norm on an elliptical region

Let $E$ be the open region in the complex plane bounded by an ellipse. The B. and F. Delyon norm $\|\cdot\|_{\mathrm{bfd}}$ on the space $\mathrm{Hol}(E)$ of holomorphic functions on $E$ is defined by $$ \|f\|_{\mathrm{bfd}} \stackrel{\rm def}{=} \sup_{T\in \mathcal{F}_{\mathrm {bfd}}(E)}\|f(T)\|, $$ where $\mathcal{F}_{\mathrm {bfd}}(E)$ is the class of operators $T$ such that the closure of the numerical range of $T$ is contained in $E$. The name of the norm recognizes a celebrated theorem of the brothers Delyon, which implies that $\|\cdot\|_{\mathrm{bfd}}$ is equivalent to the supremum norm $\|\cdot\|_\infty$ on $\mathrm{Hol}(E)$. The purpose of this paper is to develop the theory of holomorphic functions of bfd-norm less than or equal to one on $E$. To do so we shall employ a remarkable connection between the bfd norm on $\mathrm{Hol}(E)$ and the supremum norm $\|\cdot\|_\infty$ on the space $\mathrm{H}^\infty(G)$ of bounded holomorphic functions on the symmetrized bidisc, the domain $G$ in $\mathbb{C}^2$ defined by \begin{align*} G & \stackrel{\rm def}{=} \{(z+w,zw): |z|<1, |w|<1\}. \end{align*} It transpires that there exists a holomorphic embedding $\tau:E \to G$ having the property that, for any bounded holomorphic function $f$ on $E$, \[ \|f\|_{\mathrm{bfd}} = \inf\{\|F\|_\infty: F \in {\mathrm H}^\infty(G), F\circ\tau=f\}, \] and moreover, the infimum is attained at some $F \in \mathrm{H}^\infty(G)$. This result allows us to derive, for holomorphic functions of bfd-norm at most one on $E$, analogs of the well-known model and realization formulae for Schur-class functions. We also give a second derivation of these models and realizations, which exploits the Zhukovskii mapping from an annulus onto $E$.

math.CV↗
arXiv2023

On the Operators with Numerical Range in an Ellipse

We give new necessary and sufficient conditions for the numerical range $W(T)$ of an operator $T \in \mathcal{B}(\mathcal{H})$ to be a subset of the closed elliptical set $K_\delta \subseteq \mathbb{C}$ given by \[ K_\delta {\stackrel{\rm def}{=}} \left\{x+iy: \frac{x^2}{(1+\delta)^2} + \frac{y^2}{(1-\delta)^2} \leq 1\right\}, \] where $0 < \delta < 1$. Here $\mathcal{B}(\mathcal{H})$ denotes the collection of bounded linear operators on a Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$. Central to our efforts is a direct generalization of Berger's well-known criterion for an operator to have numerical radius at most one, his so-called strange dilation theorem. We next generalize the lemma of Sarason that describes power dilations in terms of semi-invariant subspaces to operators $T$ that satisfy appropriate dilation properties. This generalization yields a characterization of the operators $T\in \mathcal{B}(\mathcal{H})$ such that $W(T)$ is contained in $K_\delta$ in terms of certain structured contractions that act on $\mathcal{H} \oplus \mathcal{H}$. As a corollary of our results we extend Ando's parametrization of operators having numerical range in a disc to those $T$ such that $W(T)\subseteq K_\delta$. We prove that, if $T$ acts on a finite-dimensional Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$, then $W(T)\subseteq K_\delta$ if and only if there exist a pair of contractions $A,B \in \mathcal{B}(\mathcal{H})$ such that $A$ is self-adjoint and \[ T=2\sqrt\delta A + (1-\delta)\sqrt{{1+A}}\ B\sqrt{{1-A}}. \] We also obtain a formula for the B. and F. Delyon calcular norm of an analytic function on the inside of an ellipse in terms of the extremal $H^\infty$-extension problem for analytic functions defined on a slice of the symmetrized bidisc.

math.FA↗
arXiv2022

Asymptotic Muntz-Szasz Theorems

We define a monomial space to be a subspace of $\ltwo$ that can be approximated by spaces that are spanned by monomial functions. We describe the structure of monomial spaces.

math.FA↗
arXiv2022

A Hilbert space approach to singularities of functions

We introduce the notion of a pseudomultiplier of a Hilbert space $\mathcal H$ of functions on a set $\Omega$. Roughly, a pseudomultiplier of $\mathcal H$ is a function which multiplies a finite-codimensional subspace of $\mathcal H$ into $\mathcal H$, where we allow the possibility that a pseudomultiplier is not defined on all of $\Omega$. A pseudomultiplier of $\mathcal H$ has singularities, which comprise a subspace of $\mathcal H$, and generalize the concept of singularities of an analytic function, even though the elements of $\mathcal H$ need not enjoy any sort of analyticity. We analyse the natures of these singularities, and obtain a broad classification of them in function-theoretic terms.

math.FA↗
arXiv2022

A generalization of Hardy's operator and an asymptotic Muntz-Szasz Theorem

The Hardy operator has all the monomial functions as eigenvectors. We study bounded operators on L^2 that take monomial functions to multiples of other monomials, with a shifted exponent. We prove that they all leave the space of functions vanishing on [0,s] invariant. We prove an asymptotic Muntz-Szasz theorem, characterizing the set of functions that are limits of linear combinations of monomials with exponents between n and 2n.

math.FA↗
arXiv2022

Monomial Operators

We study monomial operators on $ L^2[0,1]$, that is bounded linear operators that map each monomial $x^n$ to a multiple of $x^{p_n}$ for some $p_n$. We show that they are all unitarily equivalent to weighted composition operators on a Hardy space. We characterize what sequences $p_n$ can arise. In the case that $p_n$ is a fixed translation of $n$, we give a criterion for boundedness of the operator.

math.FA↗
arXiv2022

The Hardy-Weyl algebra

We study the algebra $\mathcal{A}$ generated by the Hardy operator $H$ and the operator $M_x$ of multiplication by $x$ on $L^2[0,1]$. We call $\mathcal{A}$ the Hardy-Weyl algebra. We show that its quotient by the compact operators is isomorphic to the algebra of functions that are continuous on $\Lambda$ and analytic on the interior of $\Lambda$ for a planar set $\Lambda$ = $[-1,0] \cup \bar{ \mathbb{D}(1,1)}$, which we call the lollipop. We find a Toeplitz-like short exact sequence for the $C^*$-algebra generated by $\mathcal{A}$. We study the operator $Z = H - M_x$, show that its point spectrum is $(-1,0] \cup \mathbb{D}(1,1)$, and that the eigenvalues grow in multiplicity as the points move to $0$ from the left.

math.OA↗
arXiv2022

Norm Preserving Extensions of Holomorphic Functions Defined on Varieties in ${\mathbb C}^n$

If $V$ is an analytic set in a pseudoconvex domain $\Omega$, we show there is always a pseudoconvex domain $G \subseteq \Omega$ that contains $V$ and has the property that every bounded holomorphic function on $V$ extends to a bounded holomorphic function on $G$ with the same norm. We find such a $G$ for some particular analytic sets. When $\Omega$ is an operhedron we show there is a norm on holomorphic functions on $V$ that can always be preserved by extensions to $\Omega$.

math.CV↗
arXiv2022

Complete Norm Preserving Extensions of Holomorphic Functions

We show that for every connected analytic subvariety $V$ there is a pseudoconvex set $\Omega$ such that every bounded matrix-valued holomorphic function on $V$ extends isometrically to $\Omega$. We prove that if $V$ is two analytic disks intersecting at one point, if every bounded scalar valued holomorphic function extends isometrically to $\Omega$, then so does every matrix-valued function. In the special case that $\Omega$ is the symmetrized bidisk, we show that this cannot be done by finding a linear isometric extension from the functions that vanish at one point.

math.CV↗
arXiv2022

Nonuniqueness of Carath\'eodory extremal functions on the symmetrized bidisc

We survey the Carath\'eodory extremal problem $\mathrm{Car} \delta$ on the symmetrized bidisc $$ G = \{(z+w,zw):|z|<1, \, |w|<1\} = \{(s,p)\in \mathbb{C}^2: |s-\bar s p| < 1-|p|^2\}. $$ We also give some new results on this topic. We are particularly interested in cases of this problem in which the solution of the problem is not unique. It is known that, for any $\delta=(\lambda,v)\in TG$ with $v\neq 0$, there is at least one $\omega\in\mathbb{T}$ such that $\Phi_\omega$ solves $\mathrm{Car} \delta$, where $\Phi_\omega(s,p) = \frac{2\omega p-s}{2-\omega s}$. Moreover, there is an essentially unique solution of $\mathrm{Car} \delta$ if and only if $\delta$ has exactly one Carath\'eodory extremal function of the form $\Phi_\omega$ for some $\omega\in\mathbb{T}$. We give a description of Carath\'eodory extremals for $\delta\in TG$ with more than one Carath\'eodory extremal function $\Phi_\omega$ for some values of $\omega \in\mathbb{T}$. The proof exploits a model formula for the Schur class of $G$ which is an analog of the well-known network realization formula for Schur-class functions on the disc.

math.CV↗
arXiv2020

Intrinsic Directions, Orthogonality and Distinguished Geodesics in the Symmetrized Bidisc

The symmetrized bidisc \[ G \stackrel{\rm{def}}{=}\{(z+w,zw):|z|<1,\ |w|<1\}, \] under the Carath\'eodory metric, is a complex Finsler space of cohomogeneity $1$ in which the geodesics, both real and complex, enjoy a rich geometry. As a Finsler manifold, $G$ does not admit a natural notion of angle, but we nevertheless show that there {\em is} a notion of orthogonality. The complex tangent bundle $TG$ splits naturally into the direct sum of two line bundles, which we call the {\em sharp} and {\em flat} bundles, and which are geometrically defined and therefore covariant under automorphisms of $G$. Through every point of $G$ there is a unique complex geodesic of $G$ in the flat direction, having the form \[ F^\beta \stackrel{\rm{def}}{=}\{(\beta+\bar\beta z,z)\ : z\in\mathbb{D}\} \] for some $\beta \in\mathbb{D}$, and called a {\em flat geodesic}. We say that a complex geodesic \emph{$D$ is orthogonal} to a flat geodesic $F$ if $D$ meets $F$ at a point $\lambda$ and the complex tangent space $T_\lambda D$ at $\lambda$ is in the sharp direction at $\lambda$. We prove that a geodesic $D$ has the closest point property with respect to a flat geodesic $F$ if and only if $D$ is orthogonal to $F$ in the above sense. Moreover, $G$ is foliated by the geodesics in $G$ that are orthogonal to a fixed flat geodesic $F$.

math.DG↗
arXiv2019

Calcular Algebras

A calcular algebra is a subalgebra of $H^\infty(Ω)$ with norm given by $\| ϕ\| = \sup \| ϕ(T) \|$ as $T$ ranges over a given class of commutative $d$-tuples of operators with Taylor spectrum in $Ø$. We discuss what algebras arise this way, and how they can be represented.

math.FA↗
arXiv2019

A Geometric Characterization of the Symmetrized Bidisc

The symmetrized bidisc \[ G \stackrel{\rm{def}}{=}\{(z+w,zw):|z|<1,\ |w|<1\} \] has interesting geometric properties. While it has a plentiful supply of complex geodesics and of automorphisms, there is nevertheless a unique complex geodesic $\mathcal{R}$ in $G$ that is invariant under all automorphisms of $G$. Moreover, $G$ is foliated by those complex geodesics that meet $\mathcal{R}$ in one point and have nontrivial stabilizer. We prove that these properties, together with two further geometric hypotheses on the action of the automorphism group of $G$, characterize the symmetrized bidisc in the class of complex manifolds.

math.CV↗
arXiv2018

Non-commutative manifolds, the free square root and symmetric functions in two non-commuting variables

The richly developed theory of complex manifolds plays important roles in our understanding of holomorphic functions in several complex variables. It is natural to consider manifolds that will play similar roles in the theory of holomorphic functions in several non-commuting variables. In this paper we introduce the class of \emph{nc-manifolds}, the mathematical objects that at each point possess a neighborhood that has the structure of an \emph{nc-domain} in the \emph{$d$-dimensional nc-universe $\m^d$}. We illustrate the use of such manifolds in free analysis through the construction of the non-commutative Riemann surface for the matricial square root function. A second illustration is the construction of a non-commutative analog of the elementary symmetric functions in two variables. For any symmetric domain in $\m^2$ we construct a 2-dimensional non-commutative manifold such that the symmetric holomorphic functions on the domain are in bijective correspondence with the holomorphic functions on the manifold. We also derive a version of the classical Newton-Girard formulae for power sums of two non-commuting variables.

math.CV↗
arXiv2018

Carathéodory extremal functions on the symmetrized bidisc

We show how realization theory can be used to find the solutions of the Carathéodory extremal problem on the symmetrized bidisc \[ G \stackrel{\rm{def}}{=} \{(z+w,zw):|z|<1, \, |w|<1\}. \] We show that, generically, solutions are unique up to composition with automorphisms of the disc. We also obtain formulae for large classes of extremal functions for the Carathéodory problems for tangents of non-generic types.

math.CV↗