The joint k-numerical range of operators

Abstract: Let

m a t h c a l B (m a t h c a l H)

be the algebra of all bounded linear operators on the Hilbert space

m a t h c a l H

. For a positive integer

k

less than the dimension of

m a t h c a l H

and

m a t h b f A = (A_{1}, d o t s, A_{m}) i n m a t h c a l B (m a t h c a l H)^{m}

, the joint

k

-numerical range

W_{k} (m a t h b f A)

is the set of vector

(a l p h a_{1}, d o t s, a l p h a_{m}) i n {m a t h b b C}^{m}

such that

a l p h a_{i} = s u m_{j = 1}^{k} l a n g l e A_{i} x_{j}, x_{j} a n g l e

for an orthonormal set

x_{1}, l d o t s, x_{k}

in

m a t h c a l H

. Geometrical properties of

W_{k} (m a t h b f A)

and their relations with the algebraic properties of

A_{1}, d o t s, A_{m}

are investigated in this paper. For example, conditions for

W_{k} (m a t h b f A)

to be convex are studied. Descriptions are given for the closure of

W_{k} (m a t h b f A)

and the closure of

m c o n v, W_{k} (m a t h b f A)

in terms of the joint essential numerical range of

m a t h b f A

for infinite dimensional operators

A_{1}, d o t s, A_{m}

. Characterizations are obtained for

W_{k} (m a t h b f A)

or

m c o n v, W_{k} (m a t h b f A)

to be closed. It is shown that

W_{k} (m a t h b f A)

is a polyhedral set if and only if

A_{1}, d o t s, A_{k}

have a common reducing subspace

m a t h b f V

of finite dimension such that the compression of

A_{1}, d o t s, A_{m}

on the subspace

m a t h b f V

are diagonal operators

D_{1}, d o t s, D_{m}

and

W_{k} (m a t h b f A) = W_{k} (D_{1}, d o t s, D_{m})

. Similar results are obtained for

such that the closure of

W_{k} (m a t h b f A)

is polyhedral. Classifications are given for operators satisfying (1)

A_{1}, d o t s, A_{m}

is a commuting family of normal operators, or (2)

W_{k} (A_{1}, d o t s, A_{m})

is polyhedral for every positive integer

k

less than

d i m m a t h c a l H

.

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