The invariant subspace problem for the space of smooth functions on the real line (Q2011270)

The invariant subspace problem is the question whether a bounded linear operator \(T\) on a Banach space \(X\) has a nontrivial invariant subspace; that is, if there exists a (closed) subspace \(M\) different from \(\{0\}\) and \(X\) such that \(TM\subseteq M\). If \(X\) is a separable Hilbert space, the problem is still open and challenging. In other cases, several results have been obtained in the negative; meaning that the authors were able to construct operators on spaces like \(X\) without any nontrivial invariant subspace. \par The first result in this area was obtained by \textit{P. Enflo} [in: Sémin. Maurey-Schwartz 1975-Espaces \(L^p\), Appl. radonif., Géom. Espaces de Banach, Exposé XIV-XV, 6 p. (1976; Zbl 0341.46016); Acta Math. 158, 213--313 (1987; Zbl 0663.47003)] who constructed an operator on an abstract Banach space without any nontrivial invariant subspace; then appeared a more concrete construction by \textit{C. J. Read} [Bull. Lond. Math. Soc. 16, 337--401 (1984; Zbl 0566.47003); Bull. Lond. Math. Soc. 17, 305--317 (1985; Zbl 0574.47006)] on the sequence Banach space \(\ell_1\); see also \textit{C. J. Read}'s construction an many other Banach spaces [Isr. J. Math. 63, No. 1, 1--40 (1988; Zbl 0782.47002); Lect. Notes Math. 1317, 1--20 (1988; Zbl 0663.47004)]. It then became quite natural to look at different situations for constructing an operator without any nontrivial invariant subspace. The papers [Ann. Math. (2) 117, 669--694 (1983; Zbl 0553.47002)] by \textit{A. Atzmon} and [J. Funct. Anal. 262, No. 3, 1251--1273 (2012; Zbl 1250.47006)] by the first named author can be categorized in this line of research. In the paper under review, the authors consider the space of smooth functions on the real line \(C^\infty(\mathbb{R})\); this is a Fréchet space without a continuous norm. The method of construction of a bounded operator without nontrivial invariant subspace is an adaptation of the method already used by {C. J. Read} for the space \(\ell_1\).