On the spectrum of the Laplacian (Q2249462)

Let \((M,g)\) be a complete non-compact Riemannian manifold. Let \(\Delta:=\delta d\) be the Laplacian acting on the space of smooth functions of compact support on \(M\); \(\Delta\) has a unique self-adjoint extension to \(L^2(M)\) which is densely defined and nonnegative. The essential spectrum \(\sigma_{\mathrm{ess}}(\Delta)\) consists of the cluster points of the spectrum and of isolated eigenvalues of infinite multiplicity. The authors establish a generalization of Weyl's criterion for \(\sigma_{\mathrm{ess}}\) and use this criterion to examine \(\sigma_{\mathrm{ess}}(\Delta)\) in the setting at hand. They show, for example, that the \(L^2\) essential spectrum of a complete shrinking Ricci soliton is \([0,\infty)\). \S1 introduces the material to be considered, \S2 presents the Weyl criterion for quadratic forms, \S3 gives a result estimating the spectrum, \S4 treats an approximation theorem, \S5 deals with manifolds where \(\Delta r\) is asymptotically nonnegative, \S6 discusses the \(L^2\) spectrum, \S7 treats complete shrinking Ricci solitons, \S8 deals with exhaustion functions, and \S9 uses continuous test functions.