Inhomogeneous Jacobi matrices on trees (Q1615922)

The main object under consideration in the paper is the class of inhomogeneous Jacobi operators \(J\) on inhomogeneous trees \(\Gamma\). Precisely, such operators are defined on an appropriate domain in \(\ell^2(\Gamma)\) by the relation \[ Jv(x)=\lambda_x v(\eta(x))+\beta_x v(x)+\sum_{k=1}^d \lambda_{x_k} v(x_k), \] where \(\lambda_x\) are positive numbers, \(\beta_x\) are real numbers, and \(d=d_x\) are positive integers, depending on \(x\). Although the eigenvalue equation \[ zv(x)=\lambda_x v(\eta(x))+\beta_x v(x)+\sum_{k=1}^d \lambda_{x_k} v(x_k) \] cannot be resolved recursively (as in the classical case), the author shows that it has a nonzero solution for every nonreal number \(z\). The main focus is made upon the essential selfadjointness of the operator \(J\). It turns out that, unlike the homogeneous case, the operator \(J\) in some instances is not essentially self-adjoint, but the defect indices cannot be greater than 1. The author derives certain criteria for essential selfadjointness. The analog of the Carleman condition is established.