Spectrum of weighted isometries: \(C^*\)-algebras, transfer operators and topological pressure (Q2130536)

The classical Coburn's theorem states that every non-invertible isometry \(T\in B(H)\) on a Hilbert space \(H\) generates a \(C^*\)-algebra \(C^*(T)\) canonically isomorphic to the Toeplitz algebra \(\mathcal{T}\). Combining this with the well-known fact that \(\mathcal{T}\) is generated by the unilateral shift whose spectrum is the unit disk. \textit{J. Cuntz} [Commun. Math. Phys. 57, 173--185 (1977; Zbl 0399.46045)] proved a higher dimensional version of Coburn's result. Cuntz proved that the \(C^*\)-algebra generated by weighted composition operators \(aT\), \(a\in A\), is isomorphic to the Cuntz algebra \(\mathcal{O}_n\), where \(T\) is an isometry and \(a\) belongs to a commutative \(C^*\)-subalgebra \(C(X)\cong A\subseteq B(H)\). Note that \(C^*(A, T)\cong\mathcal{O}_n\) is simple and infinite it cannot contain any compact operators. Thus the spectrum \(\sigma(aT)\), for any \(a\in A\), coincides with its essential spectrum. In the present paper, the authors aim to develop a general theory that describes the spectrum of weighted isometries \(aT\), \(a\in A\subseteq B(H)\). It may serve as a step towards renewing interest of operator theorists in modern \(C^*\)-algebra theory, as well as strengthen links between these fields and the thermodynamical formalism.