Differential operators of even order with distribution coefficients (Q325534)

The objective of this short note is to give a correct definition of operators, generated by the following non-self-adjoint differential expression \[ \tau(y) = \sum_{k, s = 0}^n (r_{ks} y^{(n-k)})^{(n-s)}, \] where \(r_{ks}\) are complex-valued functions such that \[ \frac{1}{\sqrt{|r_{00}|}}, \frac{1}{\sqrt{|r_{00}|}} R_{ks} \in L_{\mathrm {loc}}^2(a, b), \quad k, s = 0, 1, \dots, n, \tag{1} \] where \(R_{ks}\) are the \(l\)-th antiderivatives of \(r_{ks}\) in the sense of distribution theory, \(l = \min(k, s)\), i.e., \[ R_{ks}^{(l)} = r_{ks}. \] The authors apply the regularization method, based on construction of a compatible matrix from the Shin-Zettl class. They study the properties of maximal and minimal operators, generated by the compatible matrix. In the regular case, when the interval \((a, b)\) is finite and the functions from (1) belong to \(L^2(a, b)\), domains of operators, generated by the differential expression \(\tau(y)\), are described in terms of boundary conditions, the structure of the spectrum is studied and conditions of self-adjointness are provided. A family of differential operators with smooth coefficients is constructed, converging to the differential operator with distribution coefficient in the sense of uniform resolvent convergence.