Shnol-type theorem for the Agmon ground state (Q2192435)

Summary: Let \(H\) be a Schrödinger operator defined on a noncompact Riemannian manifold \(\Omega\), and let \(W \in L^\infty (\Omega; \mathbb{R})\). Suppose that the operator \(H+W\) is critical in \(\Omega\), and let \(\varphi\) be the corresponding Agmon ground state. We prove that if \(u\) is a generalized eigenfunction of \(H\) satisfying \(|u| \leq \varphi\) in \(\Omega\), then the corresponding eigenvalue is in the spectrum of \(H\). The conclusion also holds true if for some \(K \Subset \Omega\) the operator \(H\) admits a positive solution in \(\tilde{\Omega}=\Omega \setminus K\), and \(|u| \leq \psi\) in \(\tilde{\Omega}\), where \(\psi\) is a positive solution of minimal growth in a neighborhood of infinity in \(\Omega\). Under natural assumptions, this result holds true also in the context of infinite graphs, and Dirichlet forms.