The resolution of the Nirenberg-Treves conjecture (Q2500432)

This paper can be seen as the conclusion of a long series of articles, addressed to prove, or possibly disprove, the conjecture of Nirenberg-Trèves, which states the following. Let \(P= p(x,D)\) be a classical pseudodifferential operator of principal type, in the sense that \(p= 0\) implies \(d_\xi p\neq 0\), and assume condition \((\Psi)\): \(\text{Im}(ap)\) does not change sign from \(-\) to \(+\) along the oriented bicharacteristics of \(\text{Re}(ap)\), for any elliptic \(a\). Then \(P\) is locally solvable, namely the equation \(Pu= v\) has a local distribution solution \(u\) for every \(v\in C^\infty\). When \(P\) is a linear partial differential operator, condition \((\Psi)\) simplifies and is necessary and sufficient for the local solvability, see for example \textit{L. Hörmander} [The analysis of linear partial differential operators, I--IV, Springer Verlag, New York, 1983-85], where the reader finds also the proof of the necessity of \((\Psi)\) for pseudo-differential operators. A negative result was obtained by \textit{N. Lerner} [Ann. Math. 128, 243--258 (1988; Zbl 0682.35112)], giving examples of pseudodifferential operators satisfying \((\Psi)\), which are not locally solvable with loss of 1 derivative in Sobolev estimates. In the present paper, the author proves that local solvability is always granted, under \((\Psi)\), if a loss of 2 derivatives is allowed.