Eigenvalues with respect to a weight for general boundary value problems on networks (Q2229483)

The paper deals with a combinatorial Schrödinger operator on a network, which is translated into the language of PDE's. A function \(u\) on a finite set of points \(V\) is considered. The symmetric function \(c : V\times V \to [0,\infty)\) satisfying \(c(x,x) = 0\) is called the conductance. The Schrödinger operator is defined as \[ \mathcal{L}_q(u) (x) = qu + \sum_{y\in V} c(x,y) (u(x) - u(y)) \,,\quad x\in V\,. \] The boundary of a set \(F\subset V\) is defined as the set \(\delta(F) = \{z\in V\backslash F: c(z,y)>0\) for some \(y \in F\}\) and it is divided into the sets \(F_\mathrm{N} \ne \emptyset\) (Neumann-Robin part) and \(F_\mathrm{D}\) (Dirichlet part). Unlike other papers, the set \(F_\mathrm{N}\) is considered to be non-empty. Normal derivative \(\frac{\partial}{\partial \mathrm{n}_\mathrm{F}}\) is defined as a certain operator from \(F\cup \delta(F)\) into \(\delta(F)\). The mixed boundary value problem \[ \mathcal{L}_q(u) = f \quad \text{on}\quad F\,,\quad \frac{\partial u}{\partial \mathrm{n}_\mathrm{F}}+q u=g \quad \text{on}\quad F_\mathrm{N}\,,\quad u = h \quad \text{on}\quad F_\mathrm{D}\,,\quad \] is studied. Using the trace function, the mixed boundary value problem is transformed into the Poisson equation on a network without boundary. The positive semi-definiteness of the energy is studied. The self-adjointness of the problem is proven and the relation between the Green function and the spectrum is found. Finally, the results are applied to a star-like network.