Schrödinger operators on graphs: symmetrization and Eulerian cycles (Q2790197)

Schrödinger operators on finite compact metric graphs with delta-type conditions at the nodes are investigated. In particular, spectral properties are studied and precise estimates for the lowest eigenvalue (ground state) are found using two distinct techniques. The first method is that of Eulerian cycles -- where the authors prove that the eigenvalues of a Schrödinger operator on a graph depend monotonically on topological perturbations of the graph. The second method is symmetrisation. These results are in some sense a generalization of the results for the standard Laplacian on metric graphs found in [the second author and \textit{N. Naboko}, J. Spectr. Theory 4, No. 2, 211--219 (2014; Zbl 1301.34108)] and [\textit{S. Nicaise}, Bull. Sci. Math. (2) 111, No. 4, 401--413 (1987; Zbl 0644.35076)] for the first method and in [\textit{L. Friedlander}, Ann. Inst. Fourier (Grenoble) 55, No. 1, 199--211 (2005; Zbl 1074.34078)] for the second method.