On spectral theory of elliptic operators (Q1922353)

The main subject of the book is the estimate of eigenvalues and of eigenfunctions of elliptic operators. After introducing the reader to the basic theory of Hilbert and Sobolev spaces and the classical theory of elliptic equations in the first four chapters, the authors present some of their results mainly obtained during the past two decades. First, the Sturm-Liouville problem for the equation \((P(x) y')'+ \lambda Q(x) y= 0\) is considered, and estimates for \(\lambda\) are given in terms of the integrals \(\int P(x)^\alpha dx\) and \(\int Q(x)^\beta dx\), when \(\alpha\), \(\beta\) are arbitrary real numbers. Then similar questions are considered for an elliptic differential equation of order \(m\), in particular results on oscillation of solutions are presented. First, boundary value problems for strongly elliptic equations are discussed, next, also presenting results depending on the volume of a domain or its inner radius and its connectivity. Finally, the negative spectrum of an elliptic operator of the Schrödinger type \(L= L_0- V(x)\) depending on \(V\) is studied. A bibliography of 75 titles apart from the authors' articles and an index complete the book. Since half of the book, chapter 1-4 is a compilation of classical results, the remaining four chapters, being clearly written, can be expected to be well understood by the addressed readers, i.e. specialists in pure and applied mathematics and senior university students.