Let $L$ be a self-adjoint invertible operator in a Hilbert space such that $L^{-1}$ is $p$-summable. Under a certain discrete dimension spectrum assumption on $L$, we study the relation between the (regularized) Fredholm determinant, $\det_{p}(I+z\cdot L^{-1})$, on the one hand and the zeta regularized determinant, $\det_ζ(L+z)$, on the other. One of the main results is the formula
\begin{equation*}
\frac{\det_ζ (L + z)}{\det_ζ (L)} = \exp \left( \sum_{j=1}^{p-1}
\frac{z^j}{j!} \cdot
\frac{d^j}{dz^j}
\log \det\nolimits_ζ (L+z) |_{z=0} \right) \cdot \det\nolimits_{p}(I + z \cdot L^{-1} ).
\end{equation*} We show that the derivatives $\frac{d^j}{dz^j} \log \det\nolimits_ζ (L+z) |_{z=0}$ can be expressed in terms of (regularized) zeta values and heat trace coefficients of $L$. Furthermore, we give a general criterion in terms of the heat trace coefficients (and which is, e.g., fulfilled for large classes of elliptic operators) which guarantees that the constant term in the asymptotic expansion of the Fredholm determinant, $\log\det_{p} (I+z\cdot L^{-1})$, equals the zeta determinant of $L$.
One may trace the idea that spectral flow should be given as the integral of a one form back to the 1974 Vancouver ICM address of I.M. Singer. Our main theorem gives analytic formulae for the spectral flow along a norm differentiable path of self-adjoint bounded Breuer-Fredholm operators in a semi-finite von Neumann algebra. These formulae have a geometric interpretation which derives from the proof. Namely we define a family of Banach submanifolds of all bounded self-adjoint Breuer-Fredholm operators and on each submanifold define global one forms whose integral on a norm differentiable path …
Let $A$ be a linear bounded operator in a Hilbert space $H$, $N(A)$ and $R(A)$ its null-space and range, and $A^*$ its adjoint. The operator $A$ is called Fredholm iff $dim N(A)= dim N(A^*):=n<\infty$ and $R(A)$ and $R(A^*)$ are closed subspaces of $H$. A simple and short proof is given of the following known result: $A$ is Fredholm iff $A=B+F$, where $B$ is an isomorphism and $F$ is a finite-rank operator. The proof consists in reduction to a finite-dimensional linear algebraic system which is equivalent to the equation $Au=f$ in the case of Fredholm operators.
The Evans function is a well known tool for locating spectra of differential operators in one spatial dimension. In this paper we construct a multidimensional analogue as the modified Fredholm determinant of a ratio of Dirichlet-to-Robin operators on the boundary. This gives a tool for studying the eigenvalue counting functions of second-order elliptic operators that need not be self-adjoint. To do this we use local representation theory for meromorphic operator-valued pencils, and relate the algebraic multiplicities of eigenvalues of elliptic operators to those of the Robin-to-Robin and Robin…
We study the gap (= "projection norm" = "graph distance") topology of the space of (not necessarily bounded) self--adjoint Fredholm operators in a separable Hilbert space by the Cayley transform and direct methods. In particular, we show that the space is connected contrary to the bounded case. Moreover, we present a rigorous definition of spectral flow of a path of such operators (actually alternative but mutually equivalent definitions) and prove the homotopy invariance. As an example, we discuss operator curves on manifolds with boundary.
We consider Fredholm determinants of the form identity minus product of spectral projections corresponding to isolated parts of the spectrum of a pair of self-adjoint operators. We show an identity relating such determinants to an integral over the spectral shift function in the case of a rank-one perturbation. More precisely, we prove $$ -\ln \left(\det \big(\mathbf{1} -\mathbf{1} _{I}(A) \mathbf{1}_{\mathbb R\backslash I}(B)\mathbf{1}_{I}(A)\big) \right) = \int_I \text{d} x \int_{\mathbb R\backslash I} \text{d} y\, \frac{ξ(x)ξ(y)}{(y-x)^2}, $$ where $\mathbf{1}_J (\cdot)$ denotes the spectra…
After recalling a fundamental identity relating traces and modified Fredholm determinants, we apply it to a class of half-line Schrödinger operators $(- d^2/dx^2) + q$ on $(0,\infty)$ with purely discrete spectra. Roughly speaking, the class considered is generated by potentials $q$ that, for some fixed $C_0 > 0$, $\varepsilon > 0$, $x_0 \in (0, \infty)$, diverge at infinity in the manner that $q(x) \geq C_0 x^{(2/3) + \varepsilon_0}$ for all $x \geq x_0$. We treat all self-adjoint boundary conditions at the left endpoint $0$.
Let X be a compact Riemannian manifold of dimension two or three and let P be a point of X. We derive comparison formulas relating the zeta-regularized determinant of an arbitrary self-adjoint extension of (symmetric) Laplace operator with domain, consisting of smooth functions with compact supports which does not contain P, to the zeta-regularized determinant of the self-adjoint Laplacian on X.
We consider Dirichlet-to-Neumann maps associated with (not necessarily self-adjoint) Schrodinger operators describing nonlocal interactions in $L^2(Ω; d^n x)$, $n\geq 2$, where $Ω$ is an open set with a compact, nonempty boundary satisfying certain regularity conditions. As an application we describe a reduction of a certain ratio of Fredholm perturbation determinants associated with operators in $L^2(Ω; d^n x)$ to Fredholm perturbation determinants associated with operators in $L^2(\partialΩ; d^{n-1}σ)$. This leads to an extension of a variant of a celebrated formula due to Jost and Pais, whi…
We consider Dirichlet-to-Neumann maps associated with (not necessarily self-adjoint) Schrodinger operators in $L^2(Ω; d^n x)$, $n=2,3$, where $Ω$ is an open set with a compact, nonempty boundary satisfying certain regularity conditions. As an application we describe a reduction of a certain ratio of modified Fredholm perturbation determinants associated with operators in $L^2(Ω; d^n x)$ to modified Fredholm perturbation determinants associated with operators in $L^2(\partialΩ; d^{n-1}σ)$, $n=2,3$. This leads to a two- and three-dimensional extension of a variant of a celebrated formula due to …
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 s…
Let $A$ be an elliptic pseudodifferential operator of positive order on a compact closed manifold, and let $T$ be a pseudodifferential operator of negative order such that $T^m$ is of trace class. We compute $\log\det(A(I+T))-\log\det A-\log\det_m (I+T)$ where first two determinants are zeta function regularized, and the last one is a regularized Fredholm determinant.
We survey the notion of the spectral shift function of a pair of self-adjoint operators and recent progress on its connection with the Witten index. We also describe a proof of Krein's Trace Theorem that does not use complex analysis [53] and develop its extension to general $σ$-finite von Neumann algebras $\mathcal{M}$ of type II and unbounded perturbations from the predual of $\mathcal{M}$. We also discuss the connection between the theory of the spectral shift function and index theory for certain model operators. We start by introducing various definitions of the Witten index, (an extensio…
We review the concepts of the index of a Fredholm operator, the spectral flow of a curve of self-adjoint Fredholm operators, the Maslov index of a curve of Lagrangian subspaces in symplectic Hilbert space, and the eta invariant of operators of Dirac type on closed manifolds and manifolds with boundary. We emphasize various (occasionally overlooked) aspects of rigorous definitions and explain the quite different stability properties. Moreover, we utilize the heat equation approach in various settings and show how these topological and spectral invariants are mutually related in the study of add…
We compute the Fredholm index, ${\rm ind}(D_A)$, of the operator $D_A = (d/dt) + A$ on $L^2(\mathbb{R};\mathcal{H})$ associated with the operator path $\{A(t)\}_{t=-\infty}^{\infty}$, where $(A f)(t) = A(t) f(t)$ for a.e. $t\in\mathbb{R}$, and appropriate $f \in L^2(\mathbb{R};\mathcal{H})$, via the spectral shift function $ξ(\, \cdot \,;A_+,A_-)$ associated with the pair $(A_+, A_-)$ of asymptotic operators $A_{\pm}=A(\pm\infty)$ on the separable complex Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$ in the case when $A(t)$ is generally an unbounded (relatively trace class) perturbation of the unbounded self-ad…
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 …
We consider the family of Hecke triangle groups $ Γ_{w} = \langle S, T_w\rangle $ generated by the Möbius transformations $ S : z\mapsto -1/z $ and $ T_{w} : z \mapsto z+w $ with $ w > 2.$ In this case the corresponding hyperbolic quotient $ Γ_{w}\backslash\mathbb{H}^2 $ is an infinite-area orbifold. Moreover, the limit set of $ Γ_w $ is a Cantor-like fractal whose Hausdorff dimension we denote by $ δ(w). $ The first result of this paper asserts that the twisted Selberg zeta function $ Z_{Γ_{ w}}(s, ρ) $, where $ ρ: Γ_{w} \to \mathrm{U}(V) $ is an arbitrary finite-dimensional unitary represent…
Let $\{A(t)\}_{t \in \mathbb{R}}$ be a path of self-adjoint Fredholm operators in a Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$, joining endpoints $A_\pm$ as $t \to \pm \infty$. Computing the index of the operator $D_A= (d/d t) + A$ acting in $L^2(\mathbb{R}; \mathcal{H})$, where $A = \int_{\mathbb{R}}^{\oplus} dt \, A(t)$, and its relation to spectral flow along this path, has a long history. While most of the latter focuses on the case where $A(t)$ all have purely discrete spectrum, we now particularly study situations permitting essential spectra. Introducing $H_1={D_A}^* D_A$ and $H_2=D_A {D_A}^*$, we con…
The transfer operator for $Γ_0(N)$ and trivial character $χ_0$ possesses a finite group of symmetries generated by permutation matrices $P$ with $P^2=id$. Every such symmetry leads to a factorization of the Selberg zeta function in terms of Fredholm determinants of a reduced transfer operator. These symmetries are related to the group of automorphisms in $GL(2,\mathbb{Z})$ of the Maass wave forms of $Γ_0(N)$ . For the group $Γ_0(4)$ and Selberg's character $χ_α$ there exists just one non-trivial symmetry operator $P$. The eigenfunctions of the corresponding reduced transfer operator with eigen…
We study the manner in which spectral shift functions associated with self-adjoint one-dimensional Schrödinger operators on the finite interval $(0,R)$ converge in the infinite volume limit $R\to\infty$ to the half-line spectral shift function. Relying on a Fredholm determinant approach combined with certain measure theoretic facts, we show that prior vague convergence results in the literature in the special case of Dirichlet boundary conditions extend to the notion of weak convergence and arbitrary separated self-adjoint boundary conditions at $x=0$ and $x=R$.
The aim of this paper is twofold: On one hand we discuss an abstract approach to symmetrized Fredholm perturbation determinants and an associated trace formula for a pair of operators of positive-type, extending a classical trace formula. On the other hand, we continue a recent systematic study of boundary data maps, that is, 2 \times 2 matrix-valued Dirichlet-to-Neumann and more generally, Robin-to-Robin maps, associated with one-dimensional Schrödinger operators on a compact interval [0,R] with separated boundary conditions at 0 and R. One of the principal new results in this paper reduces a…
Using the general formalism of [12], a study of index theory for non-Fredholm operators was initiated in [9]. Natural examples arise from $(1+1)$-dimensional differential operators using the model operator $D_A$ in $L^2(\mathbb{R}^2; dt dx)$ of the type $D_A = (d/dt) + A$, where $A = \int^{\oplus}_{\mathbb{R}} dt \, A(t)$, and the family of self-adjoint operators $A(t)$ in $L^2(\mathbb{R}; dx)$ is explicitly given by $A(t) = - i (d/dx) + θ(t) ϕ(\cdot)$, $t \in \mathbb{R}$. Here $ϕ: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ has to be integrable on $\mathbb{R}$ and $θ: \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}$ tends to zero …
We study the model operator $\mathbf{D}_{\mathbf{A}} = (d/dt) + \mathbf{A}$ in $L^2(\mathbb{R};\mathcal{H})$ associated with the operator path $\{A(t)\}_{t=-\infty}^{\infty}$, where $(\mathbf{A} f)(t) = A(t) f(t)$ for a.e.\ $t\in\mathbb{R}$, and appropriate $f \in L^2(\mathbb{R};\mathcal{H})$ (with $\mathcal{H}$ a separable, complex Hilbert space). Denoting by $A_{\pm}$ the norm resolvent limits of $A(t)$ as $t \to \pm \infty$, our setup permits $A(t)$ in $\mathcal{H}$ to be an unbounded, relatively trace class perturbation of the unbounded self-adjoint operator $A_-$, and no discrete spectrum…
We study the manner in which a sequence of spectral shift functions $ξ(\cdot;H_j,H_{0,j})$ associated with abstract pairs of self-adjoint operators $(H_j, H_{0,j})$ in Hilbert spaces $\cH_j$, $j\in\bbN$, converge to a limiting spectral shift function $ξ(\cdot;H,H_0)$ associated with a pair $(H,H_0)$ in the limiting Hilbert space $\cH$ as $j\to\infty$ (mimicking the infinite volume limit in concrete applications to multi-dimensional Schrödinger operators). Our techniques rely on a Fredholm determinant approach combined with certain measure theoretic facts. In particular, we show that prior vagu…
