Spectral properties of non-self-adjoint operators in the semi-classical regime (Q5957516)

Here, the author analyzes the spectrum of operators \[ H_h = -h\frac{d^2}{dx^2} +V(x) \quad \text{on } {\mathcal{L}}^2 ([-1,1]) \] in the semiclassical limit, i.e. \(h\to 0\), and \(V\) is a complex piecewise linear function. This study was motivated by results of \textit{A. A. Shkalikov} [Math. Notes 62, No. 6, 796-799 (1997); translation from Mat. Zametki 62, No. 6, 950-953 (1997; Zbl 0937.34071)] for the Airy operator \(V=ix\). The analysis reduces the problem to the study of local Airy operators together with the connection formula for the local Airy-type solutions. In this way, the spectrum of \(H_h\) is shown to lie in a union of \(Y\)-shaped regions for small enough \(h\) as computer experiments for some simple \(V\) suggest.