Quasi-compactness and absolutely continuous kernels (Q2642927)

Let \((E,\mathcal E)\) be a measurable space, \(B_w\) be the space of complex-valued mesurable functions \(f\) on \(E\), such that \(\sup_E w^{-1}| f| <\infty\), where \(w\geq 1\) is a given weight function. The author studies the essential spectral radius \(r_e(Q)\) of an operator on \(B_w\) corresponding to a bounded positive kernel \(Q\). It is shown how \(r_e(Q)\) is linked to the lower approximation of \(Q\) by certain absolutely continuous kernels. Under some assumptions, this leads to new bounds and formulas for \(r_e(Q)\). For earlier results see [\textit{L. Wu}, Probab. Theory Relat. Fields 128, No. 2, 255--321 (2004; Zbl 1056.60068)]. In the case of Markov kernels, the author gives a characterization of kernels with quasi-compact action. Former such results were available for irreducible and aperiodic kernels [\textit{E. Nummelin} and \textit{R. L. Tweedie}, Ann. Probab. 6, 404--420 (1978; Zbl 0378.60051)].