Spectral sets as Banach manifolds (Q801257)

Let A be a commutative Banach algebra, and M a closed analytic submanifold of \(C^ n\). In case A is semisimple, the spectral set \(A_ M\) may be defined as \(A_ M=\{a\in A^ n:sp(a_ 1,...,a_ n)\subset M\},\) if A is not semisimple, a more complicated definition involving the holomorphic functional calculus must be given. For example, if A is a function algebra, the spectral set \(A_ M\) is made up of n-tuples of functions whose image lies in M. It is shown that these sets inherit the geometric structure of M. In fact, \(A_ M\) is a Banach manifold modelled on projective A-modules whose rank is the dimension of M. The A-module structure of the tangent spaces may, in general, vary point to point. However, if M is a Lie group, \(A_ M\) is also, and its tangent spaces are all free.