A generalization of the Vidav-Jörgens perturbation theorem for semigroups and its application to transport theory (Q1105168)

The author proves the following theorem extending previous work by \textit{K. Jörgens} [Commun. Pure Appl. Math. 11, 219-242 (1958; Zbl 0081.441)], \textit{I. Vidav} [J. Math. Anal. Appl. 30, 264-279 (1970; Zbl 0195.137)] and \textit{J. Voigt} [Monatshefte Math. 90, 153-161 (1980; Zbl 0433.47022), J. Math. Anal. Appl. 106, 140-153 (1985; Zbl 0567.45002)]. Let X be one of the Banach spaces \(L^ p(\Omega,\mu)\) or C(M), M compact and metric or compact and extremely disconnected, \(S_ t\) a strongly continuous semigroup in X with generator A. Let \(T_ t\) be generated by \(A+K\), where K is bounded and for some \(n\in {\mathbb{N}}\) the operators \(KS_{s_ 1}KS_{s_ 2}...KS_{s_ n}K\), \(s_ i>0\), are strictly singular, i.e. no restriction to an infinite dimensional subspace induces an isomorphic embedding. Then \(r_ e(T_ t)=r_ e(S_ t)\), \(t>0\) where \(r_ e(\cdot)\) denotes the essential spectral radius. From this some information on the spectral properties of the neutron transport equation is drawn.