Compact composition operators and iteration (Q2367609)

Let \(X\) be an \(F\)-space of analytic functions in a domain \(\Omega\) of the complex plane, and let \(\varphi\) be an analytic function mapping \(\Omega\) into itself, such that \(C_ \varphi f:= f\circ\varphi\) defines a compact operator in \(X\). \textit{J. G. Caughran} and \textit{H. J. Schwartz} [Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 51, 127-129 (1975; Zbl 0309.47003)] proved that if \(\Omega\) is a disc and \(X= H^ p\) then the iteration \(\varphi_ n:= \varphi\circ\dots\circ \varphi\) converges uniformly on compacts to a point \(\lambda\in\Omega\). This result holds for other \(F\)-spaces of analytic functions in the disc, but fails for \(H^ \infty\) in certain domains. Here, under some general conditions for \(X\), it is proved that if \(C_ \varphi\) has eigenvalues then \(\varphi_ n\) converges uniformly on compacts to a point \(\lambda\in \overline{\Omega}\). Moreover, the case in which \(\lambda\in \partial\Omega\) is examined. The proof uses spectral theory of compact operators and some standard function theory on planar domains.