Sharp spectral transition for eigenvalues embedded into the spectral bands of perturbed periodic operators (Q1996482)

The paper under review deals with the spectral properties of the Schröndinger operator \[ Hu = - {u''}+(V(x) + V_0(x))u = Eu, \] where \(V_0(x)\) is 1-periodic and \(V(x)\) is a decaying perturbation and the Jacobi operator \[ (J_0 u)(n) := a_{n+1} u(n + 1) + a_n u(n- 1) + b_{n+1} u(n) = Eu(n), n\geq 0, \] where \(\{a_j, b_j\}\) are real sequences indexed by \(j\geq 1\) with \(a_j\) assumed to be positive. The problems are investigated in an extensive manner. To speak more precise, we give the following explanation in the abstract: ``By Floquet theory, the spectrum of \(H_0 =-\nabla^2 + V_0\) is purely absolutely continuous and consists of a union of closed intervals (often referred to as spectral bands). Given any finite set of points \(\{ E_j \}_{j = 1}^{N}\) in any spectral band of \(H_0\) obeying a mild non-resonance condition, we construct smooth functions \(V(x) = \frac{O(1)}{1 + | x |}\) such that \(H = H_0 + V\) has eigenvalues \(\{ E_j \}_{j = 1}^{N}\). Given any countable set of points \(\{E_j\}\) in any spectral band of \(H_0\) obeying the same non-resonance condition, and any function \(h(x)>0\) going to infinity arbitrarily slowly, we construct smooth functions \({|V(x)|} \leq \frac{h(x)} {1 + |x|}\) such that \(H = H_0 + V\) has eigenvalues \(\{E_j\}\). On the other hand, we show that there is no eigenvalue of \(H = H_0 + V\) embedded in the spectral bands if \(V(x) = \frac{o(1)}{1+|x|}\) as \(x\) goes to infinity. We prove also an analogous result for Jacobi operators.''