Notes on the Szegő minimum problem. I: Measures with deep zeroes (Q2218732)

Let \(L_\rho^2\) be the space of square integrable functions on the complex unit circle \(\mathbb{T}\) with respect to the measure \(\rho\), and let \(m\) be the normalized Lebesgue measure on \(\mathbb{T}\). If \(e_n(\rho)\) is the minimal \(L_\rho^2\)-norm over all monic polynomials of degree \(n\), then the algebraic polynomials are dense in \(L_\rho^2\) if \(\lim_{n\to\infty}e_n(\rho)=0\) (Szegő's condition). Using simple methods, i.e., not using potential theory, the authors analyse the speed at which \(e_n(\rho)\) can go to zero by giving crude bounds on \(|\log e_n(\rho)|\). Assuming \(\mathrm{d}\rho\ge e^{-H}\mathrm{d}m\) an upper bound is obtained using the distribution of the values of \(H:\mathbb{T}\to[0,+\infty]\). If \(\int e^H\mathrm{d}\rho<\infty\), two lower bounds are obtained depending on how fast the distribution of \(H\)-values decays at infinity. If \(\mathrm{d}\rho=e^{-h(|\theta|)}\mathrm{d}m\) with certain properties for \(h\) expressing how fast \(h\) approaches \(+\infty\) as \(\theta\to0\) (deep zero), the order of convergence for \(n\to\infty\) is obtained. More accurate results are possible using potential theory. The paper generalizes results from [the first author et al., Oper. Theory: Adv. Appl. 261, 141--157 (2018; Zbl 1405.60045)]. Part II of the present paper [the authors, Isr. J. Math. 240, No. 2, 745--767 (2020; Zbl 1456.30062)] treats this problem for singular measures.