Self-adjoint analytic operator functions and their local spectral function (Q2491598)

In [Oper.\ Theory, Adv.\ Appl.\ 118, 255--285 (2000; Zbl 0952.47035)], the authors proved that under fairly general assumptions a selfadjoint analytic operator function \(A(\lambda)\) in a Hilbert space \(H\) admits a linearization \(\Lambda\) which is a selfadjoint operator in some Kreĭn space. However, a selfadjoint operator in a Kreĭn space does not in general allow a spectral decomposition, and in order to get such a decomposition, additional assumptions have to be imposed. In the aforementioned previous paper, a condition of local spectral positivity on some open interval was introduced for \(A(\lambda)\), which corresponds to the local definitizibility and hence to the existence of a local spectral function of the self-adjoint linearization \(\Lambda\) in the Kreĭn space. In the present paper, the compression of this local spectral function to \(H\) is studied; it is called the local spectral function of the analytic operator function \(A(\lambda)\). The main results of this paper are proved under a stronger condition than local spectral positivity, namely, under the Virozub--Matsaev condition, or condition (VM). Apparently, for a selfadjoint analytic operator function \(A(\lambda)\), the condition of spectral positivity is not sufficient for a comprehensive theory of spectral functions for \(A(\lambda)\). As is shown by the results of the present paper, such a sufficient condition is the condition (VM). The linearization of \(A(\lambda)\) by means of a selfadjoint operator in some Kreĭn space and the local spectral function of this linearization are an essential tool in this context and the condition (VM) indicates apparently the natural boundaries of the theory. Consider a selfadjoint analytic operator function \(A(\lambda)\), which satisfies on some interval \(\Delta\) of the real axis the condition (VM). For this function \(A(\lambda)\), the authors introduce and study a local spectral function \(Q\) on \(\Delta\), the values of which are nonnegative operators. The main results of the paper concern properties of the range of \(Q(\Delta)\) and the description of a natural complement of this range.