A spectral result for Hardy inequalities (Q466544)

Let \(P\) be a linear, elliptic second order symmetric non-negative operator on a domain \(\Omega\), with an associated quadratic form \(q\), and let \(W\) be a non-negative potential such that the Hardy inequality \(\lambda_0\int_\Omega Wu^2\leq q(u)\) holds with positive best constant \(\lambda_0\), see \textit{A. Tertikas} [J. Funct. Anal. 154, No. 1, 42--66 (1998; Zbl 0920.35044)]. This inequality quantifies the positivity of \(P\). If the potential \(W\) in the Hardy inequality is positive, then there is a spectral interpretation of the best constant \(\lambda_0\). The author gives sufficient conditions so that the spectrum of the operator \(\frac{1}{W}P\) is \([\lambda_0 , \infty)\). In particular, he applies this to several well-known Hardy inequalities: (improved) Hardy inequalities on a bounded convex domain of \(\mathbb{R}^n\) with potentials involving the distance to the boundary, and Hardy inequalities for minimal submanifolds of \(\mathbb{R}^n\). Thus, he generalizes the results of himself et al. [J. Funct. Anal. 266, No. 7, 4422--4489 (2014; Zbl 1298.47057)].