Geometric models and compactness of composition operators (Q1891776)

The authors explore some of the terrain between functional equations, geometric function theory, and operator theory. They are inspired by the fact that whenever a composition operator or one of its powers is compact on the Hardy space \(H^ 2\), then its eigenfunction cannot grow too quickly on the unit disc. The goal is to show that under certain natural (and necessary) additional conditions there is a converse: slow growth of eigenfunctions implies compactness. They interpret the slow-growth condition in terms of the geometry of the principal eigenfunction of the composition operator (the ``Königs function'' of the inducing map). They emphasize throughout the importance of this eigenfunction in proving a simple geometric model for the operator's inducing map.