Spectral properties of translation operators in certain function spaces (Q1087807)

This paper, dealing with spectral properties of translation operators in the function spaces \(L^ 1(G)\), \(L^{\infty}(G)\) and \(C_ 0(G)\), is an extension of the authors' previous paper [J. Oper. Theory 14, 87-111 (1985)] which dealt with the case \(L^ p(G)\), \(1<p<\infty\). Here G is a locally compact abelian group. The question addressed is whether non- trivial translation operators in such spaces, known not to be spectral operators in the classical sense of N. Dunford, are spectral in the wider sense introduced in the authors' previous paper. Roughly speaking, an operator may fail to be spectral simply because its domain space is ''too small'' to accommodate the projections needed to form its resolution of the identity. However, if interpreted in a suitable space containing the domain space, it can happen that the operator is spectral in the classical sense. Concerning the particular case of translation operators in function spaces of the type indicated above it is shown that translations in \(L^ 1(G)\) are always spectral operators in this wider sense in some suitable space containing \(L^ 1(G)\). However, the situation for the spaces \(L^{\infty}(G)\) and \(C_ 0(G)\) is markedly different and depends on the group G and the nature of the subgroup of G generated by the element determining the translation operator. For example, if G is compact and \(g\in G\) has infinite order, then translations by g in \(L^{\infty}(G)\) and \(C_ 0(G)\) are again spectral in this wider sense. The same is true if G is \(\sigma\)-compact and the closed subgroup generated by g is compact and metrizable. However, if the closed subgroup generated by g is isomorphic to the integers \({\mathbb{Z}}\), then translations by g in \(L^{\infty}(G)\) and \(C_ 0(G)\) are not spectral in the wider sense.